Lake Powell Rises +19 Feet | Here's What Happened and Why

Lake Powell has just had its fastest fall rise since Glen Canyon Dam began holding back water in 1963. On September 15, the lake hit its lowest level since it first filled in 1980. Since then it has climbed more than 19 feet, including more than 9 feet in a single week, from October 20 to 27, according to daily data from the Bureau of Reclamation. Most of that water came from the San Juan River, after historic flooding in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Farmington, New Mexico, the Navajo Nation and Bluff, Utah. In this video we look at how much water came in, what the floods did to the towns along the river, and why the people who manage the Colorado River say this does not solve the problem. 0:00 Lake Powell's record fall rise 0:28 The numbers from the Bureau of Reclamation 1:51 Where the water came from: the San Juan River 2:18 Pagosa Springs floods twice 3:06 Farmington and the Navajo Nation 3:55 Bluff, Utah 4:42 Navajo Lake fills, Lake Powell's boat ramps 5:35 Is Lake Powell back? 6:16 Flaming Gorge: the other side of the story 7:01 Lake Mead 7:13 The forecast and this winter's snow 7:48 Where things stand