Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
El Niño floods bring relief to reservoirs in the drought-hit US Southwest
El Niño-fueled storms brought heavy rain and flooding across the US Southwest in late October and early November.
The floods forced hundreds of people to evacuate and cut off access to some areas, but much of the water is flowing into depleted reservoirs and underground aquifers.
Lake Powell has risen more than 20 feet since its mid-September low, though it remains just over a quarter full.
Rain also lifted water restrictions near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and added water to supplies serving Flagstaff, Arizona.
The extra water offers relief after years of drought, but it does not end the region’s water shortages.
Officials are unlikely to change Colorado River water releases yet because they need to see how much snow accumulates, usually by around April.
El Niño’s effects may continue for several months and could bring more rain, while officials assess how the winter snowpack develops.
Flooding across the U.S. Southwest is sending water into reservoirs and aquifers depleted by a yearslong megadrought.
Storms in late October and early November overflowed normally small or dry creeks, flooding communities and prompting hundreds of people to evacuate.
El Niño has intensified heavy rain and floods, and experts say its effects could boost water supplies for several more months.
Lake Powell has risen more than 20 feet from its mid-September low but remained just over a quarter full.
The storms also lifted water restrictions around Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and added water to Upper Lake Mary in Arizona.
- Who
- Communities and water suppliers in the U.S. Southwest are affected. Climate and water experts say the flooding is also replenishing reservoirs and aquifers.
- What
- Flooding is bringing rare relief to drought-depleted water supplies, while also inundating communities.
- When
- Storms in late October and early November caused flooding; El Niño’s effects are expected to last several more months.
- Where
- The U.S. Southwest, including areas of Colorado and Arizona, and reservoirs such as Lake Powell.
- Why
- El Niño has intensified heavy rain and flooding, sending water into reservoirs and aquifers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lackluster snowfall did little to recharge water bodies when it melted in spring and summer.
More than 10,000 people in Pagosa Springs and surrounding communities were under water restrictions.
Storms caused flooding across the Southwest, and water restrictions around Pagosa Springs were lifted.
Lake Powell rose more than 20 feet from its mid-September low but remained just over a quarter full.
- Lake Powell
- Rose more than 20 feet (6.1 meters) from its mid-September low
- Lake Powell status
- Just over a quarter full; 15 of its 17 boat launches were unusable as of Friday
- Pagosa Springs rainfall
- About 7 inches (17.78 centimeters) in October
- Upper Lake Mary
- Received more than 3 billion gallons of water since early October
- Pagosa Springs restrictions
- More than 10,000 people were under water restrictions before the storms; restrictions were later lifted
What people are saying
That’s somewhat of an unexpected boost from Mother Nature
While the storm was destructive, I think there is a silver lining
We might be overflowing at this rate before we see any snow fly