Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S. and a vital source of drinking water for over 20 million people, has reached a record low. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the reservoir’s water level fell to 1,040.5 feet above sea level on Friday, surpassing the previous record low of 1,040 feet set in July 2022.
The reservoir, located behind Hoover Dam on the Arizona-Nevada border, is a critical component of the Colorado River Basin system, which supplies water to around 40 million people across seven states, tribal communities, and parts of Mexico. While water levels climbed slightly above 1,040.50 feet before sunrise Friday, officials warn that the drop is a sign of the challenges ahead.
