Lake Powell Water Level Forecast
Lake Powell is at 3,525.76 ft and has fallen 2.21 ft over the past 30 days. Official projections come from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's monthly 24-month study, which models minimum, most-probable, and maximum inflow scenarios for the next two years.
The seasonal pattern
Lake Powell's level follows the Rocky Mountain snow cycle. Snowmelt runoff typically lifts the lake from April through early July; after the runoff peak, releases through Glen Canyon Dam outpace inflows and the lake declines through winter. In the current 12 months of data, the lake peaked at 3,561.62 ft on June 27, 2025. You can see the full cycle on the water level chart.
Where official projections live
The authoritative forecast is the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's 24-month study, updated monthly. It projects end-of-month Lake Powell elevations under three inflow scenarios (probable minimum, most probable, probable maximum) and drives decisions about Glen Canyon Dam releases. Because those numbers change every month, always read the latest study rather than a cached summary — this page deliberately links to the source instead of restating figures that would go stale.
What to watch
- Winter snowpack — NRCS SNOTEL readings for the Upper Colorado basin (tracked on our home page's inflow panel) are the single best early signal for the coming year.
- Spring runoff efficiency — dry soils can absorb a large share of snowmelt before it ever reaches the lake, which is why identical snowpacks can produce very different rises.
- Release policy — Colorado River operating decisions set how much water leaves through the dam regardless of inflow; the margin above the 3,490 ft minimum power pool (see the dead pool page) shapes those decisions.
Forecast FAQ
Is Lake Powell expected to rise or fall right now?
Over the past 30 days Lake Powell has fallen 2.21 ft to 3,525.76 ft. Seasonally, the lake rises with snowmelt from roughly April through early July and declines from late summer through winter as dam releases exceed inflows.
Will Lake Powell fill up again?
Refilling to the 3,700 ft Full Pool would take a sustained series of far-above-average snowpack years. Federal projections in recent years have kept the lake well below full; the highest point in the last 12 months of data was 3,561.62 ft — about 138 ft below full.
What is the USBR 24-month study?
Each month the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation publishes a 24-month operational study projecting Lake Powell's elevation under minimum, most-probable, and maximum inflow scenarios. It is the authoritative forecast used to plan Glen Canyon Dam releases.
What drives the Lake Powell forecast?
Three things dominate: Rocky Mountain snowpack (measured all winter by NRCS SNOTEL stations), spring runoff timing and soil moisture, and the release schedule USBR sets for Glen Canyon Dam under the Colorado River operating agreements.
Updated July 1, 2026 · Elevation data: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). Ramp status: National Park Service (NPS). Informational only — verify conditions with official sources.