Preparing for a Drier Future Along the Colorado River

After a 17-year run of mostly dry years, the Colorado River’s flow has decreased significantly below the 20th century average.  Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the country, now stands just 39 percent full. The level of the reservoir behind Hoover Dam has been hovering a bit above historic lows during the past year, helped by a bigger snowpack last winter and strides in water conservation.