Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Colorado River Basin has experienced extended drought; 2000 to 2014 saw the lowest 15-year runoff period since records began in the late 1800s. Climate projections by the Bureau of Reclamation suggest that the drying trend will continue, although it is uncertain to what degree. The years 2000–2004 were particularly dry, causing Lake Powell to fall to just , holding 33 percent of capacity, on April 8, 2005 – a water level not seen since 1969. Since then, the reservoir has slowly regained water storage, but has not filled due to fluctuating runoff levels and its obligated release to Lake Mead. It reached a level of , 77 percent full, on July 30, 2011. At the end of water year 2017 (September 30), the lake level was , and at 60 percent of capacity.