ARIZONA RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: December 31, 2025

Arizona's dams and reservoirs are experiencing a mix of conditions as of the last observations in December 2025. Lake Powell at Glen Canyon Dam, a significant water source, is recording water surface elevations at 3542 ft, notably below its average of 3569.01 ft. Similarly, Blue Ridge Reservoir near Pine shows a gage height of 44 ft against an average of 71.43 ft, indicating a substantially lower water level. Lake Mohave at Davis Dam is somewhat stable, with a gage height of 39 ft, close to its average of 40.98 ft. However, San Carlos Reservoir at Coolidge Dam reflects acute storage depletion, with only 12,830 acre-feet current storage compared to an average of 113,856.36 acre-feet. Conversely, Bartlett Reservoir at Bartlett Dam is slightly above its average gage height, suggesting higher-than-normal water levels. Storage levels in Lake Powell have significantly dropped to 6,480,517 acre-feet from an average of 14,686,508.88 acre-feet, while Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu show mixed storage trends with Lake Mohave exceeding and Lake Havasu falling below average storage levels.

These abnormal conditions, such as the low water levels in Lake Powell and Blue Ridge Reservoir, are concerning, especially given reports from sources such as KJZZ highlighting worries about insufficient snowpack levels which feed these water bodies. The decreasing water levels in Lake Powell, having dropped 36 feet within a year as reported by FOX 13 News Utah, are indicative of the ongoing water crisis exacerbated by drought conditions and increased demand. On the other hand, Bartlett Reservoir's increased level may be localised or due to specific water management practices. Overall, these variations in reservoir conditions point towards a broader trend of water scarcity and the need for robust water resource management as discussed by yourvalley.net and other media outlets, emphasizing the importance of sustainable solutions and legislative action to address the growing water resource challenges in Arizona.

Arizona relies heavily on reservoirs and dams to store and manage its limited water resources. Major reservoirs in the state include Lake Mead, Lake Powell, Roosevelt Lake, Apache Lake, and Lake Havasu. These reservoirs are fed by streams, rivers, and creeks such as the Colorado River, Salt River, Verde River, and Gila River. The hydrology of the area is heavily influenced by snowpack in the surrounding mountains, particularly the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Record low levels have been observed in Lake Mead and Lake Powell due to drought conditions in recent years, leading to concerns about water supply for agriculture, industry, and municipalities. Seasonal trends show that the majority of precipitation occurs during the winter months, while the summer months are typically dry and hot. Water management in Arizona is a complex issue, with competing demands for water use and limited resources available.

Arizona relies heavily on reservoirs and dams to store and manage its limited water resources. Major reservoirs in the state include Lake Mead, Lake Powell, Roosevelt Lake, Apache Lake, and Lake Havasu. These reservoirs are fed by streams, rivers, and creeks such as the Colorado River, Salt River, Verde River, and Gila River. The hydrology of the area is heavily influenced by snowpack in the surrounding mountains, particularly the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Record low levels have been observed in Lake Mead and Lake Powell due to drought conditions in recent years, leading to concerns about water supply for agriculture, industry, and municipalities. Seasonal trends show that the majority of precipitation occurs during the winter months, while the summer months are typically dry and hot. Water management in Arizona is a complex issue, with competing demands for water use and limited resources available.