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Lake Mead’s water level plunges as 11-year drought lingers

Posted by: Maven on August 13, 2010 at 7:21 am

From the New York Times:

“Lake Mead, the enormous reservoir of Colorado River water that hydrates Arizona, Nevada, California and northern Mexico, is receding to a level not seen since it was first being filled in the 1930s, stoking existential fears about water supply in the parched Southwest.

Heightening those concerns are recent signs that the region’s record-breaking, 11-year drought could wear on for another year or longer. July not only saw the lake drop to 1956 levels but also brought cooling temperatures in the Pacific Ocean that signaled a developing La Niña system, historically a harbinger of more hot and dry weather. … “

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Photo of intakes at Hoover Dam by flickr photographer Ice Sabre. Photo taken July 1, 2010.

August 13, 2010 · Filed Under Las Vegas & Nevada

Comments

2 Responses to “Lake Mead’s water level plunges as 11-year drought lingers”

  1. dfb on August 15th, 2010 5:06 pm

    The more troubling aspect is not as much about the water as the loss of electricity generation. Hoover Dam is a huge net power source for the surrounding states, particularly SoCal. :-(

    The prospect of La Nina is very discomforting. Ken Clark says La Nina is already strong enough to make the forecast.
    http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/clark/story/34884/early-winter-outlookla-nina-growing-stronger.asp

  2. dfb on August 15th, 2010 5:44 pm

    No sooner did I write that than I read an article the cites David Zetland saying just that — charge more for water. http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=1485494

    And, man oh man, our neighbors are still not thrilled with our garden. But the hummingbirds and bees love it. :-)

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