Federal water managers let the closely watched and regulated surface level at Lake Mead go to a new record low overnight, before guiding it back above a crucial drought shortage trigger point.

Federal water managers are due to release a monthly projection of water levels at Lake Mead on Monday, and the rain in May might change what they say.

Gripped by a prolonged drought, Arizona faces possible cuts to its main water supply in the next 18 months. Residents, however, face none of the restrictions that neighboring California has imposed this year.

Federal water managers have released a report projecting that Lake Mead's water levels will fall below a point in January 2017 that would force supply cuts to Arizona and Nevada.

A new poll of 400 Arizonans shows a slight majority, 53 percent, believe the state is in a water crisis, and an even higher percentage say politicians and the media aren’t giving the crisis enough attention.

If you want to glimpse the future of a city or state, all you need to do is look at how it’s managing its water supply.

The Colorado River may see a shortage as soon as next year, and the probability of one in 2017 jumps to 61 percent. If Lake Mead’s water level drops below 1,075 feet, agricultural users of Central Arizona Project water will see a big cut.

Amid worries that crucial multi-state water agreements are beginning to erode due to ongoing drought, representatives of seven Colorado River basin states are meeting in Las Vegas this week.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar says he is encouraged by the yearlong pilot program under way at the Yuma Desalting Plant.

The drought has sent Lake Mead to a low not seen in a lifetime.