What happens when the foundation of the system that built the West starts to crack? In the early 2000s, the Colorado River Basin entered what climate scientists refer to as a megadrought, the driest period in over 1,200 years. As temperatures rose and runoff declined, our demand for water quickly outpaced a shrinking supply. Reservoirs like Lake Powell and Lake Mead began to drop — fast — revealing deep structural flaws. This episode unpacks the engineered risks, outdated policies, and looming threat of Deadpool, a point where Glen Canyon Dam may no longer be able to release any water downstream to the millions of people in Nevada, Arizona, California, and Mexico, whose lives depend on it. Part 4 of a 6-part series.

To keep up with the pod and for photos of Lone Rock and Glen Canyon Dam, follow @lifeblood.pod on Instagram.

Written, hosted, and produced by Evelyn Baher-Murphy

This episode of Lifeblood was made possible by support from the Hulbert Center for Southwest Studies, the Colorado College Journalism Institute, the Utah Rivers Council, Colorado River and Trail Expeditions, Firefly Kitchens, Ceiba River Outfitters, and Outdoor Odysseys Sea Kayaking.