Colorado River Lake Levels, Water Temperatures
Sept 2026
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.
Lodging Laughlin, NV - Bullhead City, AZ
Water Level and Temperature
Water level 93% Full
Water temp 75+
Boating Supplies - Water Filters - Water Straws to purify drinking water
Lake Powell
Lake Powell Water Level Update — September 2026
As September begins, Lake Powell is at approximately 3,518 feet above sea level, with about 5.15 million acre-feet of water in storage. The reservoir is only about 22% of capacity and remains roughly 180 feet below full pool.
Conditions at Lake Powell deteriorated significantly during 2026 following an exceptionally poor winter snowpack and extremely low runoff into the Colorado River system. July’s unregulated inflow into Lake Powell was only about 84,000 acre-feet — approximately 9% of average. During the same month, about 482,000 acre-feet was released through Glen Canyon Dam, substantially more water than entered the reservoir.
Lake Powell has consequently continued to decline through the summer. At the beginning of August, the reservoir was near 3,522 feet; by the end of the month it had fallen to approximately 3,518 feet. The Bureau of Reclamation currently projects Lake Powell to finish the 2026 water year near 3,516 feet, with approximately 5.03 million acre-feet in storage, or about 22% of capacity.
Of particular concern is the 3,510-foot elevation. Under the new 2027–2028 Colorado River operating guidelines, federal water managers are placing increased emphasis on maintaining Lake Powell at or above 3,510 feet to protect the operational reliability of Glen Canyon Dam. Reclamation’s August projections indicate that Lake Powell could fall below 3,510 feet during water year 2027 if conditions remain poor.
To help protect Lake Powell, releases through Glen Canyon Dam are being managed more conservatively. For water year 2027, Reclamation expects releases from Lake Powell to Lake Mead to total between 6.0 and 7.0 million acre-feet, with releases adjusted as necessary in an effort to maintain Lake Powell at or above the critical 3,510-foot level.
The outlook for the coming year will depend heavily on the 2026–27 Rocky Mountain snowpack. Reclamation’s current most-probable forecast estimates water year 2027 inflow into Lake Powell at approximately 7.3 million acre-feet, or only 76% of average. Under a dry scenario, inflow could be as low as 3.6 million acre-feet, while a wet winter could dramatically improve conditions.
Lake Powell and Lake Mead must increasingly be viewed as a connected system. Holding additional water in Lake Powell can help protect Glen Canyon Dam, but it also reduces the amount of water flowing downstream into Lake Mead. Conversely, releasing more water to support Lake Mead can accelerate declines at Lake Powell. With combined storage in the two reservoirs now at historically low levels, federal water managers are attempting to balance the needs of both reservoirs while protecting critical infrastructure.
The 2026–27 winter snowpack will therefore be especially important. A strong snow year could stabilize or begin rebuilding Lake Powell during the spring runoff, while another dry winter could push the reservoir closer to elevations that threaten reliable operation of Glen Canyon Dam.
Water Elevation Lake Powell By Month
Chart by year from 1998 to 2026
Lake Powell is down 30 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 16.40 feet from one year ago.
Current Status
Heavy monsoon rains and flash flooding in Grand Canyon temporarily increased tributary flows into the Colorado River, sending additional water downstream toward Lake Mead. However, despite the dramatic flooding, the volume is small compared with Lake Mead’s enormous storage capacity and is unlikely to produce a measurable long-term improvement in the reservoir. The flooding is much more significant for erosion, sediment movement and Grand Canyon conditions than for Lake Mead’s overall water supply.
Lake Mead Water Level Update — September 2026
As September begins, Lake Mead is at approximately 1,039 feet above sea level, with the Bureau of Reclamation reporting an elevation of about 1,038.9 feet at the end of August. The reservoir remains at roughly 27% of capacity and far below its historical full-pool elevation of 1,219.6 feet. Lake Mead has fallen about 27 feet since its 2026 high in March, reflecting the effects of poor Colorado River runoff and reduced releases from Lake Powell.
The outlook remains challenging. The Bureau of Reclamation’s August 2026 24-Month Study continues to project low reservoir conditions under the most-probable hydrologic scenario, with considerably lower levels possible if the Colorado River Basin experiences another dry winter. Reclamation has reduced releases from Lake Powell in an effort to protect critical elevations at Glen Canyon Dam, but holding additional water in Lake Powell also means less water flowing downstream into Lake Mead.
Lake Mead remains under shortage conditions in 2026. Looking ahead, the federal government has now established a new operating framework for the Colorado River beginning in 2027. In August, the Department of the Interior finalized operating guidelines for 2027 and 2028 as part of a broader 10-year decision framework extending through 2036. These rules are intended to provide greater flexibility in managing Lake Mead and Lake Powell during prolonged drought and exceptionally low runoff.
Heavy monsoon thunderstorms and flash flooding in the Grand Canyon at the end of August temporarily increased flows in tributaries entering the Colorado River. While some of this additional runoff will eventually reach Lake Mead, the amount is small compared with the reservoir’s enormous storage capacity and is unlikely to produce a meaningful long-term increase in Lake Mead’s water level. Such storms can cause dramatic short-term increases in river flow without substantially changing the overall water-supply picture.
Hoover Dam continues to generate hydroelectric power, although declining Lake Mead elevations reduce the amount of power the dam can produce. The reservoir remains well above the elevations at which water could no longer pass through Hoover Dam or power generation would become impossible, but continued declines would further reduce generating capacity.
Lake Mead’s longer-term outlook will depend heavily on the 2026–27 winter snowpack in the Rocky Mountains, spring runoff into Lake Powell, conservation efforts in the Lower Basin, and implementation of the new Colorado River operating rules. A strong snow year could improve the outlook, while another poor snowpack could put additional pressure on both Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
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.
Colorado River Update — September 2026
The Colorado River remains under severe pressure as the Southwest enters the final month of the 2026 water year. The river supplies water to more than 40 million people, 30 Tribal Nations, approximately 5.5 million acres of farmland, seven U.S. states and two Mexican states. It also supplies the two largest reservoirs in the United States — Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
Conditions deteriorated significantly during 2026. The Colorado River Basin experienced the lowest observed winter snowpack on record during 2025–26, producing exceptionally poor runoff into the river system. By August, combined storage in Lake Powell and Lake Mead had fallen to its lowest level since before Lake Powell began filling in 1963.
The river’s problems extend beyond a single dry year. The 1922 Colorado River Compact and subsequent agreements divided the river’s water during a relatively wet period. Actual long-term river flows have often been lower than the amounts allocated among states and Mexico. Increasing temperatures have compounded the problem by reducing snowpack, increasing evaporation and causing more water to be absorbed by dry soils and vegetation before it reaches rivers and reservoirs.
Research by the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that warming alone could reduce Upper Colorado River Basin flows by approximately 14% to 31% by 2050 compared with historical averages. The exact amount remains uncertain because future precipitation could either increase or decrease, but continued warming is expected to place additional pressure on the river.
A major change in Colorado River management occurred in August 2026. The Department of the Interior finalized new operating guidelines for 2027 and 2028 and established a broader decision framework extending through 2036. The new rules are designed to protect critical infrastructure at Lake Powell and Lake Mead while adapting water deliveries to actual hydrologic conditions.
Under the new guidelines, Lower Basin Colorado River deliveries will be reduced by 1.25 million acre-feet annually in both 2027 and 2028. If the Lower Basin states implement their proposed sharing arrangement, Arizona would absorb approximately 760,000 acre-feet of the annual reduction, California about 440,000 acre-feet and Nevada about 50,000 acre-feet. Additional voluntary conservation totaling at least 700,000 acre-feet over the two-year period is also anticipated.
The Salton Sea is indirectly affected by these changes because much of its inflow comes from agricultural drainage originating with Colorado River water used in the Imperial Valley. As agricultural water use becomes more efficient and Colorado River conservation increases, less drainage water may ultimately reach the Salton Sea. Continued reductions in inflow contribute to declining lake levels, increasing salinity and exposure of previously submerged lakebed, creating additional habitat and air-quality concerns.
The long-term challenge is increasingly one of balancing water use with the amount of water the Colorado River actually produces. Conservation, agricultural efficiency, reservoir management and future agreements among the seven Basin states, Tribal Nations, Mexico and the federal government will all play important roles.
Much now depends on the 2026–27 winter snowpack. A strong snow year could provide some relief to Lake Powell and Lake Mead during the 2027 spring runoff. Another exceptionally dry winter, however, could push the Colorado River system closer to critical reservoir elevations and trigger additional conservation measures.
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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