Lake Powell vs. Lake Mead
Lake Powell and Lake Mead are the two largest reservoirs in the United States, linked by the Colorado River. Powell (behind Glen Canyon Dam) is at 3,525.76 ft — 23% of capacity today; Mead (behind Hoover Dam) holds slightly more at capacity (26.12 vs 24.322 million acre-feet) and was near 1,044 ft as of July 2026.
Side by side
| Lake Powell | Lake Mead | |
|---|---|---|
| Dam | Glen Canyon Dam (1963) | Hoover Dam (completed 1935) |
| Position | Upper basin — upstream | Lower basin — ~300 river miles downstream |
| Full pool elevation | 3,700 ft | 1,229 ft |
| Capacity | 24.322 million acre-feet | 26.12 million acre-feet |
| Dead pool | 3,370 ft | 895 ft |
| Current level | 3,525.76 ft (23% full) — live | ≈1,044 ft (as of July 2026) |
| Shoreline | ≈1,960 miles (canyon country) | ≈750 miles |
| States | Utah & Arizona | Nevada & Arizona |
How the two reservoirs work together
Think of them as two buckets on the same tap. Snowmelt from the Rockies fills Lake Powell first; releases through Glen Canyon Dam then travel through the Grand Canyon into Lake Mead, which supplies Las Vegas, Arizona, California, and Mexico. Federal operators actively balance storage between the two — a decision to hold water back in Powell (for example, to protect hydropower at the minimum power pool) directly lowers what arrives in Mead.
That coupling is why watching Lake Powell's level — its daily chart and forecast — tells you a lot about the whole Colorado River system's health before it shows up downstream.
Powell vs. Mead FAQ
Which is bigger, Lake Powell or Lake Mead?
Lake Mead holds more water at capacity (about 26.12 million acre-feet vs Lake Powell's 24.322), making it the largest reservoir in the United States by volume. Lake Powell is a close second and has far more shoreline (~1,960 miles) thanks to its canyon geography.
Are Lake Powell and Lake Mead connected?
Yes — they are the two anchor reservoirs of the Colorado River system. Water released from Lake Powell through Glen Canyon Dam flows about 300 miles down the Colorado River (through the Grand Canyon) into Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam.
What is the current level of each lake?
Lake Powell is at 3,525.76 ft (23% of capacity) per today's USBR reading. Lake Mead was near 1,044 ft as of July 2026 — check USBR's Hoover Dam data for its live reading.
Why are both lakes so low?
A two-decade megadrought in the Colorado River basin, reduced snowpack, warmer temperatures, and demand from 40 million water users have drawn both reservoirs far below full. Levels now cycle with each winter's snowpack rather than staying near capacity as they did before 2000.
Do the same rules govern both lakes?
Yes — coordinated operation of Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams is set by Colorado River agreements between the seven basin states, Reclamation, and Mexico. Releases from Powell are adjusted partly to balance storage between the two reservoirs.
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.