Side canyon on Lake Powell, Utah, on March 27, 2026. Mark Henle/The Republic With Aer USA TODAY Network, Reuters The Desert Sun's recent article on the Colorado River's worsening water shortage and its impact on Lake Powell and Lake Mead should be a wake-up call for every resident of the Coachella Valley. As reservoir levels continue to decline, the long-term reliability of our water supply and hydroelectric power is becoming increasingly uncertain.