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‘Uncharted territory’: Second-largest reservoir in US plunges to a record low
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Byline on the source page: Laura Paddison , as published by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· August 16, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) · view original
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Byline on source page Laura Paddison, as published by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Aug 16, 2026 Indexed here Aug 16, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The latest data shows the reservoir's level has dropped to 3519.
A significant development has occurred in the western United States, where Lake Powell, a major reservoir, has reached a record low level. This reservoir provides essential water and electricity to millions of people in the region. 91 feet, breaking a previous record set in April 2023.
This is a concerning sign of the ongoing drought crisis affecting the Colorado River. Further information on this situation is available from the US Bureau of Reclamation and other sources, including NewsChannel 5 WTVF.
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About this story
As published by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: August 16, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A significant development has occurred in the western United States, where Lake Powell, a major reservoir, has reached a record low level. This reservoir provides essential water and electricity to…
When was this published? This article was first published on August 16, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Laura Paddison at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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