As drought continues to afflict the American West, the dire situation at Lake Mead will continue to have consequences for states like Arizona, California, and Nevada that draw their water supply from Lake Mead.
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The primary users of water from Lake Mead are the states of California and Arizona.
Electricity would not just be the only thing lost. Without Lake Mead, Las Vegas would lose access to 90 percent of its water sources. If Lake Mead were to reach dead pool, it would technically still be able to supply drinking water to Las Vegas. But there will not be enough water for agricultural activities.
As drought continues to afflict the American West, the dire situation at Lake Mead will continue to have consequences for states like Arizona, California, and Nevada that draw their water supply from Lake Mead.
Colorado River water and local groundwater are the two primary supplies used to meet our community's current water needs. Colorado River water is primarily withdrawn from Lake Mead, and groundwater is pumped from the Las Vegas Valley groundwater basin.
Key Points. Lake Mead has dropped by 70% due to droughts in the West and it will take many years to refill again, naturally. The reservoir is vitally important to millions of people as a source of water, electricity, and recreation.
Climate change, a rising population, and unsustainable consumption of water in the southwest are threatening the very existence of the Colorado River that's been running through the center of the Grand Canyon for six million years.
The main contributors to Lake Mead's decreased water levels, besides population growth leading to depletion, include drought and climate change. Lake Mead and surrounding areas have been plagued by drought over the last few years. For instance, 83% of Colorado is experiencing drought at this moment.
The water in Lake Mead, the nation's biggest reservoir, has dropped more than 150 feet in the last two decades, leaving little water for the more than 40 million people who depend on the river.
The Hoover Dam relies on a steady water supply from Lake Mead. Without enough water, the dam would not be able to generate power. This would have ripple effects on the power grid and the economy, as the dam provides power to several states in the southwest United States.
Lake Mead's water level continues to fall to historic lows, bringing the reservoir less than 150 feet away from “dead pool” — so low that water cannot flow downstream from the dam. The loss of water entirely from this source would be catastrophic.