Lake Mead water levels might get a boost from developing El Niño

Forecasters report emerging El Niño conditions may steer more storms to the Colorado River Basin and could raise inflows to Lake Mead; the reservoir's current elevation is about 1,065 feet, roughly 93 percent of its average for this time of year.

Emerging El Niño conditions in the equatorial Pacific are showing signs of strengthening, and forecasters say that pattern may steer more storms toward the drought‑strained Colorado River Basin. That shift could increase winter and spring precipitation that helps inflows to Lake Mead. The Intermountain West has experienced a severe snow drought, and officials have been monitoring reservoir levels closely. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has issued forecasts that include notably low future elevations for the reservoir. Key facts: - Ocean warming in the equatorial Pacific is reported to be showing early signs of developing into a full El Niño by late spring or summer, according to AccuWeather reporting. - AccuWeather senior meteorologist Chad Merrill told Newsweek that trends support El Niño developing late this spring to early summer. - El Niño forms when trade winds weaken and warm water shifts eastward, which can alter the Pacific jet stream and bring wetter conditions to parts of the U.S. South and Southwest. - Lake Mead's elevation was reported at about 1,065 feet on lakesonline.com, about 93 percent of its average for this time of year, and levels are roughly 3 feet lower than the same time in 2025 and 10 feet lower than in 2024. - The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation forecasts an end‑of‑November 2027 elevation of 1,036.5 feet, a level lower than any end‑of‑month elevation recorded in 2022. Summary: If El Niño develops as forecasters expect, increased precipitation could modestly improve inflows to Lake Mead, offering a limited uplift to reservoir levels. Experts caution that a single El Niño event would not reverse decades of water shortages and that sustained wet winters would be required for a meaningful recovery. Undetermined at this time.