Lake Powell has increased by 20 feet since mid-September, when it was at its lowest. Runoff from the recent rainfall in the Four Corners region is southeastern Utah.
The rise represents about 1.1 million acre-feet of additional water or about 360 billion gallons.
According to the Lake Powell water level website, the lake is at 26.2% capacity, which is 161.16 feet below full pool.
It is estimated that the lake will rise several more feet due to the severe flooding that recently occurred in southeastern Utah.
Martin Hoerling, a climate scientist and hydrologist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, estimated that the additional water could support around 4 million average families for a year.
However, as of Nov. 6, the lake’s levels still left fifteen out of seventeen boat launches unusable.
Most of the water coming into the lake is from the San Juan River, which usually only contributes 13% of the October water intake.
The lake reached an all-time low in August 2026 at approximately 3,500 feet, 200 feet lower than full pool.
Full pool has only been achieved once since 1983, reaching about 3,700 feet in 1999.
To learn more about Lake Powell and current water conditions, visit the water level history website.
Author: Lainey Porter
Photo courtesy of ABC News
Editor: Charlee Steed
outdoors@suunews.net
