ARIZONA RESERVOIR LEVELS

October 9 2024

Arizona's water landscape is seeing a mix of surpluses and shortages as the latest dam and reservoir observations reveal significant fluctuations. The iconic Lake Powell at Glen Canyon Dam, a critical water source in the region, is experiencing a higher water surface elevation than average, at 3580 feet compared to its average of 3570.73 feet. Conversely, the Blue Ridge Reservoir near Pine reports a worrying decrease, with the gage height at 44 feet against an average of 71.43 feet. Lake Mohave at Davis Dam also indicates a dip below its average gage height. Reservoir storage paints a varied picture; while San Carlos Reservoir at Coolidge Dam boasts a substantial surplus, with current storage at 182,000 acre-feet towering over the average of 115,501.21 acre-feet, Lake Powell's storage capacity is significantly reduced, displaying only 9,197,897 acre-feet against the average of 14,828,216.54 acre-feet.

Notably, Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu are slightly above their average storage volumes, signifying a lesser immediate concern. The abnormal conditions in some reservoirs can be tied to factors such as seasonal snowpack variability and river flow changes, which are essential for hydrologists and water managers to consider in their planning. The outlier readings, like Bartlett Reservoir at Bartlett Dam, show a data anomaly indicated by a gage height of -999999 feet, which necessitates further investigation or data verification. Overall, the mix of surplus and drought conditions across Arizona's water systems highlights the complexity of managing these resources in a changing climate, and emphasizes the critical need for ongoing monitoring and adaptive water management strategies.