California farmers are making a bold plea: empty the nation's second-largest reservoir to secure the West's water.

Influential Imperial Valley growers argue that maintaining two half-empty lakes is a recipe for disaster.

Lake Powell loses roughly 600,000 to 1 million acre-feet of water yearly to evaporation and seepage.

Built as a buffer for dry years, the reservoir is now struggling to stay above 'dead pool' levels.

The plan: consolidate remaining water into Lake Mead downstream to minimize surface area and loss.

Draining Powell would mean losing massive clean energy. How will the West replace this power?

Environmentalists see a silver lining: the restoration of the majestic Glen Canyon ecosystems.

Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming fear losing control of their water if the dam is decommissioned.

Some studies suggest the water savings may be smaller than hoped, adding to the debate's complexity.

Federal officials are now reviewing long-term management plans as current guidelines expire.

Will the West sacrifice a landmark to save its water? The decision will define the region for decades.