The Shrinking Lakes: A Water Crisis in the U.S.

The Shrinking Lakes: A Water Crisis in the U.S.

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Lake Mead and Lake Powell are the two largest reservoirs in the U.S. They store water from the Colorado River.

The Colorado river supplies water to 40 million people and 5.5 million acres of farmland in seven states and Mexico

But these reservoirs are running low. They are at their lowest levels since they were filled in the 1930s and 1960s, respectively.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has declared a water shortage for the first time ever, triggering mandatory cuts in water deliveries for some states next year.

Why are Lake Mead and Lake Powell shrinking?

What are the consequences of their low water levels?

And what can you do to help save water?

The main reason why Lake Mead and Lake Powell are shrinking is drought.

The Colorado River Basin has experienced a prolonged drought since 2000.

This drought has reduced the amount of snowpack and runoff that feeds the river and its reservoirs.

Read  more about this, here.

Another reason is climate change.

Higher temperatures have increased evaporation from the reservoirs and the river, as well as increased water demand from plants and people.

Climate change has also altered the precipitation patterns, making them more variable and unpredictable.

A third reason is overallocation.

The Colorado River was divided among the states and Mexico based on historical flows that were higher than the current flows.

This means that more water has been promised than is available, creating a structural deficit that worsens the situation.

Lake Mead and Lake Powell’s water levels

Lake Mead reached its highest level in 1983, at 1,225 feet above sea level, and its lowest level in July 2021, at 1,068 feet above sea level.

Lake Powell reached its highest level in 1980, at 3,700 feet above sea level, and its lowest level in April 2005, at 3,555 feet above sea level.

Lake Mead water level today is 1,067.48 feet above sea level, which is 157.52 feet below full pool of 1,225.00 feet.

Lake Powell water level today is 3,554.23 feet above sea level, which is 145.77 feet below full pool of 3,700.00 feet.

What are the impacts of Lake Mead and Lake Powell’s low water levels?

They affect not only the water supply, but also the power generation, recreation, wildlife, and ecosystem of the region.

What can you do to help save water?

You can make a difference by adopting some simple water conservation practices at home and in your community.

Thank you for reading this web story. I hope you learned something new and useful about Lake Mead and Lake Powell and how they are drying up.

Remember that every drop counts and you can make a difference by saving water.

Let's conserve the natural resources, as we depend on them.