Southwest hydropower generation hits record lows amid drought

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has reported that Southwest hydropower generation fell to record lows this summer amid prolonged drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin.

• April-August 2026 hydropower generation in the Southwest was 19% below the same period in 2025 and 28% below the 10-year average, with Lake Powell and Lake Mead hitting record low elevations.
• To manage reservoir levels, water was released from Flaming Gorge and Lake Powell releases were reduced to keep elevation above 3,510 feet; the Department of the Interior also finalized plans to cut California, Arizona, and Nevada water consumption by 1.25 million acre-feet per year for the next two years.