The decline follows an exceptionally poor winter snowpack in the Rocky Mountains, where runoff feeds the Colorado River. Roughly 40 million people across seven Western states, tribal nations, and Mexico depend on the river for water, while farms, industries, wildlife and hydropower systems also rely heavily upon it. The Bureau of Reclamation plans to reduce releases from Lake Powell to Lake Mead while moving additional water into Powell from upstream reservoirs — actions officials acknowledge could accelerate Lake Mead’s decline and further reduce Hoover Dam’s hydropower output. The crisis comes as the seven Colorado River Basin states remain divided over a long-term agreement governing how shrinking water supplies should be shared after existing operating rules expire at the end of 2026. One of the best ways you can support Worthy News is by simply leaving a comment and sharing this article.