Arizona reservoir nearly vanishes after snowpack collapse triggers massive fish kill
The San Carlos Reservoir in Arizona nearly dried up in 2026 due to record-low snowpack in the Gila River watershed. The resulting water loss caused severe hypoxia, leading to a massive fish kill and the indefinite closure of the reservoir.
Why it matters
This event highlights the increasing vulnerability of water infrastructure in the American Southwest to climate-driven drought conditions.
The Gila River is one of the Southwest's most vital waterways, supplying water to communities, farms, and wildlife while connecting the snow-covered mountains of southwestern New Mexico with the desert landscapes of southwestern Arizona.
The report is factual, data-driven, and focuses on environmental observations without political commentary.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in