Colorado River: Lake Mead crisis Update and Warning.

Since 2000, the Colorado River Basin, including its Virgin and Muddy River tributaries in Clark County, Nevada, has experienced the driest period in over 100 years of historical natural-flow records, progressing through four levels of drought (D1–D4). This period also ranks as the fifth-driest in the last 1,200 years.

While the focus remains on Lake Mead, it’s important to recognize that tributary streamflow, such as that from the Virgin and Muddy rivers, originates as groundwater, with varying connections and different uses for the water.

The following documentary should remind elected officials that Nevada water law (NRS 533.024) requires the State Water Engineer to prepare a “water budget” for Groundwater. And the Engineer must manage water resources “conjunctively-All sources” with surface water. In addition, legislation under SB150 requires a county or city government to develop a water resource plan that analyzes existing water demand in the community.

Authors’ note: As of late April 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation has shut down 5 of 17 turbines, and up to 12 of the 17 total turbines could be shut down by the fall to prevent damage from low water levels, known as cavitation, due to historically low water levels in Lake Mead, caused by severe drought and reduced water releases from Lake Powell.