New data suggest that a disappointing snowpack could result in less water than previously thought for America’s two largest reservoirs.
Why It Matters
Lake Mead is a vital water source for millions of people across Nevada, Arizona, California, and parts of Mexico. Its declining levels potentially jeopardize municipal water supplies, agricultural irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.
What To Know
Officials previously raised concerns about the water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, following a lacking winter snowpack that threatened to stall progress made during last year’s wetter-than-average season.
The resulting water supply is expected to be even lower than earlier projections. Scientists now forecast runoff into Lake Powell to reach just 55 percent of the average, down from the previous estimate of 67 percent, according to data from the National Weather Service’s Colorado Basin River Forecast Center cited by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Lake Powell, situated along the Arizona-Utah border, and Lake Mead, located near Las Vegas, are both integral components of the Colorado River system. The Colorado River Basin supplies water to more than 40 million people across seven states and Mexico…