In the Southwest, three major reservoirs now sit closer to “dead pool” than any others in the country. A reservoir reaches dead pool when its water level falls so low that water can no longer flow downstream through the dam’s outlets. At that point, water deliveries can be disrupted and the dam may no longer be able to generate hydropower.

Elephant Butte Nears Empty

One of the most striking examples is Elephant Butte Reservoir, the largest reservoir in New Mexico. Located along the Rio Grande, the reservoir plays an important role in a region where water is already a precious resource.

As of mid-July 2026, Elephant Butte had fallen to just 2–3% of capacity. The consequences of such low water levels extend well beyond the reservoir itself. Elephant Butte provides irrigation water for hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland in New Mexico and Texas and supplies a portion of El Paso’s water.

Low reservoir levels can also affect recreation and local communities that depend on visitors coming to the lake. As shorelines retreat, boat ramps and marinas can become difficult or impossible to use, changing how people are able to access and enjoy the water.

Lake Powell and Lake Mead Remain Critically Low

Elephant Butte isn’t alone. Lake Powell and Lake Mead, two of the largest and best-known reservoirs in the United States, also remain at historically low levels.

Both are part of the Colorado River system, a water source relied upon by approximately 40 million people and more than five million acres of agricultural land.

In July, Lake Powell was at roughly 27% of capacity. Its water level was about 70 feet above the elevation at which Glen Canyon Dam would no longer be able to generate hydropower.

Farther downstream, Lake Mead was also around 27% full. The reservoir stores water used by communities, farms and businesses in Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico, while Hoover Dam uses water released from Lake Mead to generate electricity.

Years of drought, combined with the enormous demand placed on the Colorado River, have left both reservoirs far below the levels they once routinely reached.

The Effects Reach Beyond the Southwest

Drought isn’t only a concern in the desert Southwest. This summer’s conditions across other parts of the country are another reminder of how closely our communities are tied to reliable water supplies.

Lower water levels can affect agriculture, drinking water, hydropower and recreation, but they can also change the waterways themselves. Reduced flows and shallower water can lead to warmer water temperatures and changes in water quality and aquatic habitat. Fish and other aquatic organisms may have less suitable habitat available, while recreational access can become more difficult.

Reservoirs are designed to capture water during wetter periods and make it available when conditions turn dry. But when drought continues year after year, even enormous reservoirs have limits.

The conditions at Elephant Butte, Lake Powell and Lake Mead offer a striking reminder that the health and availability of our water resources cannot be taken for granted. Whether it’s a massive reservoir in the Southwest or a lake or river closer to home, reliable water supplies are essential to communities, agriculture, recreation, wildlife and healthy aquatic ecosystems.

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Lending a Hand

Bolivia Struggles with Drought

Drought Disasters Around the World

Devastating Drought Means Many Go Hungry

The Giving Season

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In California, over 100 million trees have died due to the drought.  In Tennessee the drought is posing a huge threat to the cattle industry.  Pastures have dried up and farmers have resorted to feeding the cattle hay which is normally saved for the winter months.  Similar stories are reported out of Georgia as well.

Wildfires have ravaged over 54,000 acres of forest, protected areas and farmland in parts of Peru.  Peru is experiencing the regions worst drought in at least half a century.  Wildfires have burned over 100,000 acres of land across seven southern U.S. states leading to mass evacuations.

As devastating as those issues are; other countries are faring much worse.  The severe drought in Madagascar has left 330,000 people on the brink of famine.

As Bolivia faces its worst drought in at least 25 years, the government has been forced to declare a state of emergency.  It is estimated that the drought has affected 125,000 families and threatened 716,605 acres of agricultural land and 360,000 head of cattle.

Water is such an invaluable resource and the issues surrounding it’s use, conservation, and quality are immense.  In 2001 the focus was : Water for Health – Taking Charge, 2004 focused on: Water and Disasters, 2010 was Water Quality.  This years objective is: Water and Food Security.

Water is the key to food security.  People with better access to water tend to have lower levels of undernourishment.  Drought is the most common cause of severe food shortages and has caused more deaths during the last century than any other natural disaster.

The logic behind that is quite simple; it takes water to produce food.  All the food from crop and livestock product, inland fisheries, forest products, requires water.  No water – no food.  Think about this, it takes about 1500 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of wheat, but it takes more than 15,000 to produce 1 kilogram of beef.  That doesn’t include the water used for processing the meat, milk, and other dairy products; nor does it account of the water needed to produce feed for the cattle.

To keep pace with the growing demand for food, it is estimated that 14% more freshwater will be needed for agricultural purposes in the next thirty years.  With growing concerns regarding water scarcity is that even possible?  Questions raised as the focus of this years World Water Day give us hope that by better using and protecting the water resources, following a healthier, more sustainable diet, reducing food waste, and rethinking water usage; we can produce more, better quality food with less water.

World Water Day 2012