"California Reservoirs Rebound Despite Lingering Drought Concerns"

Recent storms have significantly improved the drought situation in the Western U.S., with California and Nevada essentially drought-free at the moment. While the wet winter has boosted snowpack levels and reservoirs, the long-term water crisis in the West remains a challenge due to outdated water laws, infrastructure, population growth, and climate change. The Colorado River Basin's giant reservoirs, Lakes Mead and Powell, are still at dangerously low levels despite recent increases. The improved snowpack and rainfall may decrease wildfire severity in California, but Arizona and New Mexico remain at high risk.