ARIZONA RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: December 26, 2025

In Arizona, the status of major dams and reservoirs indicates variable conditions as of the latest observations dated December 26, 2025. Lake Powell at Glen Canyon Dam, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States, exhibits a water surface elevation significantly below its average, recorded at 3543 feet compared to the usual 3569.07 feet. Similarly, the Blue Ridge Reservoir near Pine and Lake Mohave at Davis Dam are also below their average gage heights, with Blue Ridge at an alarming low of 44 feet compared to its 71.43 feet average. Conversely, the Bartlett Reservoir at Bartlett Dam is slightly above its average gage height, indicating more robust storage. These disparities in water levels are indicative of broader environmental factors impacting water storage, such as variations in snowpack, precipitation, and river flows that feed these reservoirs.

One of the most concerning abnormalities is found at the San Carlos Reservoir at Coolidge Dam, where the latest storage level stands at only 12,230 acre-feet, a steep drop from the average of 113,935.25 acre-feet. This drastic reduction suggests severe water scarcity issues. In contrast, Lake Mohave shows an increase in storage, with current levels at 1,652,296 acre-feet, exceeding the average of 1,594,813.19 acre-feet. However, Lake Havasu's storage level is down to 507,826 acre-feet from its average of 572,736.99 acre-feet. Horseshoe Reservoir at Horseshoe Dam reports an unverifiable gage height due to an erroneous data entry, signaling a need for data review. These conditions could be ascribed to lower than expected snowpack levels diminishing the inflows or abnormal weather patterns influencing evaporation and consumption. The observed data underline the necessity for ongoing monitoring and adaptive water management strategies to address the impacts of climate variability and usage demands on Arizona's critical water resources.

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.