The largest water reservoir in the United States is at a minimum

Lake Mead is an artificial lake that stretches 180km between the states of Nevada and Arizona. The water level of Lake Mead has been falling steadily for 22 years and hasn’t been that low since April 1937, when it was filled. On July 18, the tank was filled to 27% of its capacity. Satellite images of the NASANASA shows the evolution of the lake between July 6, 2000 and July 3, 2022. On July 18, the water level measured on the Dam reached 317 meters, instead of the 341 meters in July 2000. If the level continues to drop and drops below 300 meters, the hydroelectric turbines will no longer be able to function properly. The maximum flow of the lake is 372 meters, a level last reached in 1999 and 1983. Only 10% of the lake’s filling comes from rainfall and water naturally present in the subsoil, the rest coming from the sourcesource rocky mountain snow. However, last winter was marked by a heavy snowfall in Colorado, which worsened the already catastrophic drought situation.

40 million Americans depend on Lake Mead

Currently, 74% of the territory of the western United States is in a state of drought, of which 35% is in a state of extreme drought. The most affected state is Colorado, with 83% of its territory in a state of drought. The drought that has hit the American West is considered the worst of the last twelve centuries. Lake Mead is the largest water reservoir in the United States, providing water and electricity to 40 million Americans in seven states, plus northern Mexico. The continuous lowering of the water level regularly brings out vestiges of the past: human skeletons, boats or even treasures of the mafia!

Many Indian tribes are totally dependent on it, as are large cities like Los Angeles, PhoenixPhoenixS Las VegasLas Vegas and San Diego. Two million hectares of agricultural land are also irrigated by the waters of the lake. Other reservoirs in the western United States are also in short supply, with Lake Powell having 27 percent capacity and the Colorado River at 35 percent, as climate predictions all point to worsening drought and rising temperatures for the next several decades. In order to preserve water resources, occasional water cuts will be made starting from January 2023: they will primarily affect agriculture, but it is already expected that these cuts will also apply to factories and homes in the American West starting in 2024 if the situation persists deteriorate.

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