Key numbers
Western water statistics (August 2026)
The headline numbers, each written as one sentence you can quote, with the date its data runs through and a citation. Free to republish with attribution — see the methodology. The charts behind these numbers are one click away.
Total tracked storage #
Across 20 tracked western reservoirs, total storage is 35.35M af, 13% below the combined 5-yr median for the date (data through Aug 12, 2026).
Lake Powell #
Lake Powell water level storage is 5.28M af, 32% below its 5-yr median for the date.
About this data: US Bureau of Reclamation RISE; California reservoirs via CA DWR CDEC · End-of-day reservoir storage · Lake Powell water level · through Aug 12, 2026
Lake Mead #
Lake Mead water level storage is 6.97M af, 19% below its 5-yr median for the date.
About this data: US Bureau of Reclamation RISE; California reservoirs via CA DWR CDEC · End-of-day reservoir storage · Lake Mead water level · through Aug 12, 2026
Furthest below normal #
Elephant Butte Reservoir water level is the tracked reservoir furthest below normal, 73% under its 5-yr median (27,141 af).
About this data: US Bureau of Reclamation RISE; California reservoirs via CA DWR CDEC · End-of-day reservoir storage · Elephant Butte Reservoir water level · through Aug 12, 2026
Driest basin #
Colorado (Lower) basin storage is the furthest below normal of the tracked basins, 15% under its 5-yr median.
About this data: US Bureau of Reclamation RISE; California reservoirs via CA DWR CDEC · Reservoir storage summed across the basin · Colorado (Lower) basin · through Aug 12, 2026
Most drought coverage #
Utah and Wyoming are tied for the most area in drought of the tracked states, 100% in drought (D1-D4) or worse.
About this data: US Drought Monitor (National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, NOAA) · Share of area in moderate drought (D1) or worse · Utah · through Aug 11, 2026
States majority in drought #
10 of 11 tracked western states have at least half their area in drought (D1-D4) or worse (US Drought Monitor, data through Aug 11, 2026).
SWP allocation #
The State Water Project statewide allocation stands at 45%.
About this data: California Department of Water Resources, State Water Project allocation · Allocation as a percent of contract supply · California · through May 1, 2026
CVP south-of-Delta ag #
The Central Valley Project south-of-Delta agricultural allocation stands at 28%.
About this data: US Bureau of Reclamation, Central Valley Project allocation · Allocation as a percent of contract supply · California · through Aug 11, 2026
CVP Friant Class 1 #
The Central Valley Project Friant Division Class 1 allocation stands at 100%.
About this data: US Bureau of Reclamation, Central Valley Project allocation · Allocation as a percent of contract supply · California · through Feb 26, 2026
Lowest streamflow vs normal #
Dolores River near Cisco is running 92% below its 5-yr median discharge, the furthest below normal of the tracked gauges.
About this data: US Geological Survey (USGS) · Daily mean streamflow (discharge) · Dolores River near Cisco · through Aug 12, 2026