Aug. 16 (UPI) — Lake Powell, a vital man-made water reservoir on the Colorado River, has fallen to its lowest level on record as the U.S. West endures a severe, long-lasting drought, official statistics show.
The lake’s levels fell to 3519.91 feet on Saturday — low enough to break the record of 3,519.92 feet set in April 2023, according to a reading published Sunday by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Federal officials say the effects of long-term drought had reduced Colorado River Basin system storage to about 36% of capacity as of April. This was due to a combination of the lowest snowpack on record last winter and record-breaking heat in March, which intensified drought conditions across the river basin.
The situation has set off widespread concerns over elevated risks to the essential water and power infrastructure that supplies more than 40 million people across the West.
The lake, which spans Utah and Arizona, is a reservoir created by the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Ariz.
The Bureau of Reclamation in April predicted Lake Powell’s water year minimum probable inflow at just 2.78 million acre-feet — only 29% of historical average and one of the lowest on record.
It also warned lake could decline to below 3,490 feet — the minimum power pool level — by this summer without major intervention.
If Glen Canyon Dam declines below that level, water releases would be restricted, creating “uncertainty for users, downstream impacts, instability in regional power and water supplies, and a reduction in power generation.”
Another vital reservoir in the Colorado River Basin, Lake Mead, is also currently at its lowest level since it was created in the 1930s.
The Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of the Interior remain “committed to reducing the collective risk of both Lake Powell and Lake Mead falling below critical elevations to protect critical infrastructure to continue to meet the water and hydropower needs of the basin,” a spokesman told CNN on Sunday.
Robert Way
Nvidia (NVDA) announced on Monday that it is teaming up with Safe Superintelligence, the new artificial intelligence lab created by former OpenAI (OPENAI) co-founder Ilya Sutskever, in a “long-term strategic partnership.”
Separately, Nvidia has made an additional investment in Safe Superintelligence. The
SINCE stepping out of the stand-up spotlight, Johnny Vegas has embraced a calmer life running an antiques business – and now his long-term partner is getting involved.
In a new interview, the Benidorm star has opened up about Vikki Jones in a rare glimpse int his love life.
Johnny, 55, has been dating Vikki for three years and says the pair love working together.
He told The Times: “They say never work with your partner, but it’s great. She and Bev make fun of me most of the time.”
Bev is Johnny’s self-described “long-suffering” childhood friend and assistant, who appears alongside him in his Quest series Johnny Vegas’ Little Shop Of Antiques.
Explaining why he rarely speaks about Vikki publicly, Johnny said: “I wasn’t keeping it under cover, but I don’t share much about it on social media.”
His antiques venture, Vintage Vegas, began as a pop-up shop at Dagfields Craft and Antique Centre near Nantwich, Cheshire.
It featured in his eight-part TV series, which followed Johnny and Bev as they hunted for unusual treasures to sell.
Johnny describe his business venture as “collectable things of all sorts, really.
“I have a very dangerous bit of knowledge on lots of things. I couldn’t tell you about 18th-century furniture or anything, but I have to think I like it and hopefully I have an eye for this stuff.”
The Benidorm star admitted he was initially unsure whether customers would visit just to get a selfie.
He said: “It’ll be an interesting experiment to see if people come in not just to see me.
“We’ll find out if it’s viable down the line when the circus has left town, so to speak. We’re learning as we go. I never thought I’d see myself as a shopkeeper.”
Johnny has also opened up about stepping away from stand-up comedy after years of struggling with nerves.
He said: “Stand-up was great, but it was manic. The nerves took their toll. Never say never, but I just see that as a project that needs to rest.”
Johnny was previously married to Kitty Donnelly from 2002 until 2008, and they share an adult son, Michael.
He wed his second wife, Irish broadcaster Maia Dunphy, in 2011.
The former couple, who share 11-year-old son Tom, announced their separation in 2018 and later briefly reconciled before splitting again.
Arsenal have signed Spain international Ona Batlle on a free transfer following her exit from Barcelona.
It is understood that Batlle has joined on a four-year deal, with an option to extend for a further year.
The 27-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world, left Barcelona after helping them win the Champions League in May.
During her three-year spell in Spain, Batlle made 114 appearances as Barcelona won three successive league titles and two European cups.
Batlle also started their Champions League final defeat by Arsenal in 2025.
“Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I can’t wait to feel the joy of playing in front of our supporters at Emirates Stadium alongside so many great players,” said Batlle.
“I want to win trophies and I feel this is the right place to achieve that.”
Batlle graduated from Barcelona’s academy before making her senior debut for Madrid CFF in 2017.
She gained regular first-team football at fellow Spanish top-flight side Levante before joining Manchester United in 2020.
The defender went on to make 77 appearances for United before returning to Barcelona as an established Spain international.
Batlle has played 76 times for Spain and was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2023 and finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025.
She was named in the Fifa Best XI in 2024 and 2025 and it is believed she signed a pre-contract agreement to join Arsenal earlier this year.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring Ona to the club,” said Arsenal manager Renee Slegers.
“She’s a hugely experienced full-back with strong attacking intent and great physical attributes. She’s a winner and we want to go for more wins together.”
Arsenal’s director of women’s football Clare Wheatley said: “Ona’s track record at both club and international level speaks for itself.
“She’s a proven winner with a hunger to add more trophies. We’re delighted to bring one of the best defenders in the world to Arsenal.”
Batlle will wear the number 22 shirt at Arsenal.
