Southwest Floods Lift Powell 20 Feet, Aid Reservoirs

Floods from late-October and early-November storms have brought a rare boost to Southwest reservoirs and aquifers after years of drought, while also forcing evacuations and cutting off access to some communities. Lake Powell has risen more than 20 feet from its September low but remains just over a quarter full; Upper Lake Mary, which supplies up to 40% of Flagstaff’s water, has received more than 3 billion gallons since early October. El Niño-driven rains could bring further gains, but the region remains in drought, and the recent inflows have not erased the Southwest’s long-term water challenges.