Colorado River Lake Levels, Water Temperatures & Events – Sept 2025

The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the desert Southwest—carving canyons, powering cities, and creating some of the region’s most popular recreation lakes. Along its path lie Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and Lake Havasu—each formed by monumental dams and offering endless opportunities for outdoor fun.

Whether you’re boating, fishing, swimming, or camping, these lakes draw millions each year with their warm waters, stunning scenery, and year-round sunshine. This page provides real-time lake levels and water temperatures, so you can plan your trip with confidence—whether you’re launching a boat or just looking to cool off.

Explore the best ways to enjoy the Colorado River’s lakes—right here in the heart of the American Southwest.

Boating Supplies - Water Filters - Water Straws to purify drinking water

Click on the links below for more information on each lake.

 

• Planning ahead helps you avoid crowds and enjoy the best of each lake. Be sure to check local event calendars and marina websites for updates.

 

The Colorado River, a crucial water source for over 40 million people across seven U.S. states and Mexico, is facing significant challenges in sustaining its supply to downstream cities, agricultural regions, and water bodies like the Salton Sea. The original 1922 Colorado River Compact allocated water rights based on overestimated flow measurements, leading to commitments that exceed the river’s actual capacity. This overallocation has been exacerbated by prolonged droughts and climate change, resulting in diminished water levels in major reservoirs such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell. 

The long-term outlook for the Colorado River is concerning. Studies indicate that the river’s flow has declined by approximately 20% over the last century, with projections suggesting further reductions of up to 31% by 2050. This decline threatens the water security of major urban centers, agricultural operations, and ecosystems dependent on the river. The Salton Sea, for instance, relies heavily on agricultural runoff from Colorado River water; reduced flows could accelerate its shrinkage, leading to environmental and public health issues. Addressing these challenges requires revisiting existing water allocation agreements, implementing more efficient water use practices, and developing adaptive strategies to cope with the anticipated decrease in water availability. 

Boating Supplies - Water Filters - Water Straws to purify drinking water

The Colorado River is shrinking, and the Southwest is running out of time. This video explains why the river is drying up, who’s affected, and what solutions may still be possible before it’s too late.

 

 

 

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is projected to intersect critical thresholds by mid‑2026, with hydropower at risk and emergency operations plausible under drier conditions.

• According to forecasts, Lake Powell could fall below 3,525 ft as early as April 2026 in the most probable scenario—this threshold would trigger emergency drought response operations  .

• In a drier scenario, elevations could drop below 3,490 ft by December 2026, which would lead to hydropower generation ceasing entirely at Glen Canyon Dam  .

📊 Year-end estimates

• Under the most probable scenario, the January 1, 2026 elevation is projected at 3,534.4 ft, with storage in the Mid-Elevation Release Tier releasing 7.48 MAF during WY 2026  .

• Monthly projections for WY 2026 inflow: most probable ~8.00 MAF, minimum and maximum bracket uncertain but notably lower or higher respectively  .

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🧠 Broader Context: Climate & Basin Conditions

• The Colorado River Basin continues to face a “megadrought” dating back nearly 25 years. Climate warming and persistent low snowpack have suppressed flows by about 13% over the long term  .

• Groundwater depletion has surged—nearly 27.8 million acre-feet of groundwater lost since 2003 across the region  

Alerts in Effect

 

Water Elevation Lake Powell By Month

Chart by year from 1998 to 2025

Lake Powell is down 33 feet from one year ago.

Water releases from the Glen Canyon Dam fluctuate based on power needs, which can sometimes leave downstream river users high and dry - literally! Generally, less water is released on Sundays. The Colorado River provides water for 40 million people across the Southwest.

 

Road Conditions Check for updates

The public is asked to use extreme caution when using the public launch ramps at Lake Powell. Most of the main boat ramps are open. The deepest launch ramp at Lake Powell continues to be Wahweap main ramp. Different boat/trailer combinations require varying depths of water, so remember to assess the water depth for your boat before launching.

Due to significant wind damage and low water conditions, Dangling Rope Marina is closed until further notice. The damaged docks are not safe for visitors or employees.

Hite retail store, pay-at-the-pump fuel service, the visitor comfort station, and designated camping areas will be closed. Public restrooms at the Hite Ranger Station, fresh drinking water spigot and RV dump are open. Plan your fuel use ahead.

New Tiered Boat Pass fees begin Monday, March 4, 2024. The passes will better align a fee structure that will reflect costs associated with the needs of vessels utilizing Lake Powell.

 7/15/2024 Stateline Main Launch Ramp Temporarily Closed
The Stateline Main Launch Ramp is temporarily closed to accommodate staging for vessel salvage operations. Stateline Auxiliary Ramp remains open.

The lake level is changing every day: keep alert!

More information on changing lake levels

 

Lake Mead

Lake Mead is down -7.66 feet from one year ago.

 

 

Predictive forecasts by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation show:

• By July 2026, elevation is likely to fall below 1,050 ft, triggering a Tier 2 shortage, which results in greater reductions in water supply to Nevada (~4,000 ac-ft/year)  .

• By June 2027, most-probable projections put elevation at 1,038 ft—two feet lower than the prior record low reached in July 2022  .

• In a drier-than-expected scenario, levels could fall to 1,026 ft, approaching the Tier 3 threshold (below 1,025 ft), which would trigger extreme curtailments of water use .
  
  By late 2026 or early 2027 Lake Mead is likely to hit new record lows, potentially dipping below 1,050 ft and triggering escalating water shortage tiers. Though hydropower cut‑offs and dead-pool thresholds remain unlikely in the near term, deeper shortages and more severe allocation reductions are increasingly probable under most-probable and dry-year scenarios.

Boating Supplies - Water Filters - Water Straws to purify drinking water

 

Alerts & Conditions

Lake Mead Ramp Status --

Current Conditions at Lake Mead & Lake Mohave

The park is located in both Nevada and Arizona.
Please check with the most recent state orders before traveling.

Lake Mead NRA has transitioned to a cashless fee collection system, accepting only electronic card payments for entrance, lake use, and campground fees. Entrance stations will continue to sell passes only with credit card.

Most restrooms and stores are closed. Please bring everything you need, including water for you and your pets, and pack out everything you bring in.

Remember, Styrofoam and glass are never allowed in the park. Thank you for keeping your park clean and trash free.

Historic Railroad Trail Tunnel 3 Closed Until Further Notice Due to visible deterioration of the support beams within Tunnel 3 of the Historic Railroad Trail, this tunnel is closed, until further notice. Visitors may hike from the trailhead to Tunnel 3 and back. Access into the tunnel is prohibited.

 

Lake Mojave and the Colorado river

Multi-vessel/vehicle discounts are no longer offered - for latest fees see park website.

Public vehicle access to the shoreline at Boulder Harbor is no longer be available. The area is now the Boulder Harbor Walking Trail.

 

Laughlin on the Colorado river.

No one may operate a personal watercraft (PWC) that does not meet the 2006 emission standards set by EPA for the manufacturing of two-stroke engines. A person operating a personal watercraft that meets the EPA 2006 emission standards through the use of direct-injection two-stroke or four-stroke engines, or the equivalent thereof, is not subject to this prohibition and will be allowed to operate as described in this section.

Sunset Katherine's Landing South end of Lake Mohave

The NPS and Forever Resorts, LLC dedicated the first floating building project in the world to be registered for LEED® certification at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina on Lake Mohave.

 

The bridge over the Hoover Dam is open for traffic.

DesertUSA has videos on Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, Glen Canyon Dam, Lees Ferry, Rainbow Bridge, and Lake Mojave's Davis Dam and Laughlin, NV.

You can now experience the Colorado River via Google Street View.https://www.google.com/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/streetview/treks/colorado-river/

Take a virtual trip on Lake Mohave and the Colorado river in this DesertUSA video.

Lodging Laughlin, NV - Bullhead City, AZ

Send us your river stories and pictures to share with fellow river lovers. What else do you want DesertUSA to cover in our updates? Let us know. E-mail pictures and comments to Jim@desertusa.com

Glen Canyon Dam

Click on the picture above to read the story of the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge,
named the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.

 

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