Are We Losing Lake Mead?
About 96 percent of the water in Lake Mead is from melted snow that fell in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming. This is commonly referred to as the “Upper Basin” states. Each year an alloted amount of water is released to serve the needs of Nevada, California, Arizona, and Mexico. This all sounds just dandy now doesn’t it? Well it isn’t.
The amount of water needed for these places is exceeding the amount of water that Lake Mead has, and it’s not going down. In fact millions of homes and businesses are being built here, that demand more water. The need for water increases every year, but the Upper Basin isn’t supplying more. Do you see where I am going with this?
This picture clearly shows what is known as the Lake Mead Bathtub Ring. Yes, that is where the water level use to be, and where it is now.
The water levels at Lake Mead are currently at 1120 feet which puts us in the “Lower Basin” on a drought alert. The news is reporting that the lake is loosing a foot of water every week. That means Lake Mead will be dried up in 21 years, assuming no water ever flowed into it again. It’s time to wake up people, and take this drought seriously. Are your luscious green lawns really that important? Is your sparkling clean car absolutely necessary? Really. Think about it.
Photos courtesy of National Park Service.gov, and Nasa.
Cynthia Blue
May 25, 2007 @ 7:39 pmI want to plant more low water plants. I’m in Utah, so I guess a lot of our snow melt goes to Lake Mead. I have sailed on Lake Mead, it was a lot of fun.
Julie
May 25, 2007 @ 9:30 pmCynthia~ YES! Those are the little things that everyone can do to make a difference. The lake is not only functional, it is also a desirable recreation destination. I don’t want to lose it.
BILLY
August 15, 2007 @ 8:24 amI peed in Lake Mead 1 time. I helped save the drought for a day….