It's Already Dead. They Just Won't Admit It.

The Colorado River basin is experiencing its most severe water crisis in decades, with Lake Powell at only 23% capacity and facing potential collapse if water levels drop further. Unlike previous droughts when reservoirs had cushion, this crisis leaves no margin for error. The situation is complicated by political disagreements between upper and lower basin states, and the lack of engineering solutions like bypass tunnels for Glen Canyon Dam. However, there is encouraging news: as reservoir levels drop, Glen Canyon is showing remarkable ecological recovery, with native ecosystems like willows, cottonwoods, and wildlife returning naturally without human intervention.