Four Corners Rains Lift Navajo Reservoir Nearly 60 Feet

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Navajo Reservoir, on the Colorado-New Mexico border, rose nearly 60 feet from September 20 to November 7 after heavy fall rains swept the Four Corners. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data recorded 108 percent of average capacity on November 7, up from 60 percent on September 20. NASA Landsat 9 images show the change, while regional precipitation totals from early September through early November reached two to four times average. The storms ended short-term drought in the Southwest and Great Basin, although long-term drought persists in places.  Disclosure: This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.

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00:00Fall storms helped raise Navajo Reservoir nearly 60 feet in the drought-stricken American Southwest.

00:05The Army Corps of Engineers measured that rise between September 20th and November 7th.

00:11The reservoir stretches across northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.

00:15Heavy rain swept the Four Corners region in late October and early November 2026.

00:21That brought drought relief, but also flooding for communities along swollen rivers.

00:25In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, floodwater covered streets and damaged property.

00:30Officials ordered evacuations, and news outlets reported responders rescued dozens of people.

00:36Meanwhile, satellite images showed water spreading into the reservoir after a weak spring snowmelt.

00:42But rain wasn't the only factor.

00:44Releases from the dam had also been reduced in September.

00:48The drought monitor says short-term drought has ended across the southwest and Great Basin,

00:52but long-term drought still persists in places.

00:55Despite the fall storms.

00:57Disclosure.

00:58This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.

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