It's not every day that these states agree on how to manage water or, in this case, decide to sacrifice and conserve some of it. It is the largest reservoir in the US in terms of water capacity. It was as if nature were playing tricks on him. And it just hit a recordlow. Others may try to pump more water from underground aquifers (though Arizona has stricter controls on groundwater pumping than, say, California). Ramps are closed. He squinted and paused as if he had come upon a foreign. As fires sweep over large swaths of the West and scorching temperatures fry others, the scarcity of water is a less visible but perhaps the most pressing consequence of climate change confronting the states that depend on Lake Mead. He waded into the water, feeling the mud with his feet and measuring the drop-off from the ramp. The Bureau of Reclamations optimistic forecast for Lake Powell means the agency can replenish that reservoir. What is happening, he suggested, is something more permanent and troubling. . Watch the latest KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas headlines any time. When he arrived, a maintenance worker told him that it shut down that morning. Mount Charleston, the highest peak in the region, jutted out to the sky beyond the city, with the red, rocky bluffs of the Mojave Desert visible much closer. Its more gas. With less snow in the mountains, there's less water flowing into Lake Powell, which in turn is delivering less water downstream to Lake Mead. It is one of those events that is of small probability but high consequence.. Source of Water - Lake Mead National Recreation Area (U.S. National The Colorado River has been flowing for millions of years and is a well-established, huge and naturally-replenished source of water. The Southwest's looming water battle - CNN But rising demand and 16 years of drought have put a severe strain on this system. There's also the Upper Basin (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and a bit of Arizona), which divvies up a separate share of Colorado River water, according to a 1922 interstate compact. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) ordered an increase to the water level for Lake Powell which would send less water down the Colorado River into Lake Mead. The good news is that policymakers are aware of this and discussing ways to stave off crisis though it won't be easy. Millions depend on it for water and electricity. A young black bear, dubbed BB-12, was captured and collared last month in the western portion of the Santa Monica Mountains. I could have sworn I was here just six weeks ago catching smallmouth and bigmouth bass, said the 35-year-old fisherman who runs tours on this 247-square-mile basin where the Colorado River meets the Hoover Dam to form the nations largest reservoir. Getty Images Protecting the Planet: Climate Change News & Features Now three states and the federal government have agreed to a $200 million deal in response. Fewer boaters pulling up to fill their gas. For the first time. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, established in 1936, has an area of 2,338 square miles (6,055 square km) and extends 240 miles (386 km) along the Colorado River, from the western end of Grand Canyon National Park to below Davis Dam (1950). The monsoon rains that typically hit the Southwest during the summer never materialized last year. More. At the time, people assumed droughts would occur, but they didn't assume droughts would get off-the-charts terrible. If the lake, currently at 1,068 feet, drops 28 more feet by next year, the spigot of water to California will start to tighten in 2023. Its fun to go paddleboarding and kayaking, sure, said Middleton, 42. Currently, Lake Mead is at 1,055.76 feet (as of 5 p.m. Friday). Its more time. How does Los Angeles get its water? | Popular Science The lake's water levels are expected to continue rising throughout the summer. 2 Does Lake Mead supply water to California? Lake Mead. He pointed ahead to what looked like dozens of tiny steps made from successive layers of dried mud now covered in tall grass and weeds the effect of rapidly creeping vegetation over a shoreline that has been dropping by nearly a foot a week. 89005. Just last year Lake Mead hit that trigger of elevation. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS). This is far from a done deal, and negotiating water agreements, both between states and among individual state water districts, is notoriously tricky. A woman paddles across the water at Lake Mead, Nevada on July 23. Fires. Wastewater Treatment - Lake Mead National Recreation Area (U.S Whats a parched metropolis thats long ago outgrown its groundwater canteens to do? And because states on the Colorado River are often competing for water, those relationships can be pretty tense. LAS VEGAS (KTNV) The National Park Service and officials with the Lake Mead National Recreation Area are asking for the public's input on the future of . To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Striking new images show just how much the drought has affected Lake Mead, spokesperson from Southern Nevada Water Authority breaks down which states use the most and the least. "The river flowed for centuries and centuries. July 11, 2021 5:01 AM PT LAKE MEAD, Nev. Eric Richins looked out from his pontoon boat to the shallows on the lake's western edge. (And no matter how our work is funded, we have strict guidelines on editorial independence.) Call 702-293-8990 for Visitor and Recreation Information (Visitor Center open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 7 days a week). Elsewhere around Lake Mead, some business owners and recreational boaters have already adjusted to the new normal. BLOCK: And, Alex, what is the role of the Native American tribes who depend on this river? A white bathtub ring behind the Hoover Dam shows the low water level at Lake Mead on June 11. newsletter. LAS VEGAS (KTNV) The National Park Service and officials with the Lake Mead National Recreation Area are asking for the public's input on the future of Lake Mead. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS), A boater gets an up-close view of the bathtub ring on Lake Mead evidence of its low water level while touring Hoover Dam. About ninety-seven percent of the water that will end up in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave begins as precipitation in the Rockies, but it still has a long way to go before reaching these lakes. A boat cruises at sunset in front of a formerly sunken bench near Hemenway Harbor. To me it is a shocking number, Sorensen said. People have been planning for this moment for a long time and have the mechanisms in place to protect the water levels at Lake Mead.. Further analysis by the agency gives the reservoir a 58% chance of dropping to 1,025 feet and a 21% chance of hitting 1,000 feet by 2025. Flowing from the north, the Virgin and Muddy Rivers converge in the lakes Overton Arm. Three states and the country of Mexico uses water from the lake. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates that normal snowfall in the Rockies and the Upper Basin this winter will reverse the present drought. The Air Quality Index and how to use it, explained, What a landmark new study on homelessness tells us. If Lake Powell were drained and its water incorporated into Lake Mead, we could once again see the Glen Canyon that had been mostly flooded. The Bureau of Reclamation (the government agency originally tasked with "reclaiming" this arid place for a new utopia of farmland and a booming western population), expects this historic low to. Copyright 2021 NPR. Here's how much Lake Mead could rise after an epic winter and new water cuts By Ella Nilsen and Rene Rigdon, CNN Updated 12:09 PM EDT, Sun June 25, 2023 Link Copied! This place is unrecognizable.. There may be some issues along the way. Left to right: Rocky Mountain National Park; Bright Angel Creek; Horseshoe Bend; Pearce Ferry Rapids. New Yorks long and winding road to congestion pricing, Frances protests over a police killing, briefly explained, What could cause a malaria comeback in the US and what could stop it, Thorough coverage of the (proposed) new Colorado River deal from Tony Davis in the. ", NASA called the images released "a stark illustration of climate change and a long-term drought that may be the worst in the U.S. West in 12 centuries.". That's slowing down how fast boats can be launched, which park service officials said is negatively affecting visitors' experiences. But she says California will need to conserve a lot more water, regardless of whether the state is a top priority for the resources. The Colorado River takes many forms during its 1450-mile journey across the West, from a meandering alpine stream to raging rapids. Letters to the Editor: Bidens debt relief plan was clumsy. To find out your watering day group, visit SWNA. . But he wasnt confident. It's at a historic low due to climate change. Using elaborate systems of concrete-lined straws and pumps, LA slurps meltwater from the Sierras and flowing H2O from rivers hundreds of miles away. "We are excited to move forward with the next phase of public engagement with our local communities and stakeholders," said acting Superintendent Mike Gauthier. Weekend boaters wait to use the lone open ramp at Hemenway Harbor. California, it gets the largest share. Lake Mead - Water Education Foundation Water levels at Lake Mead had already been dropping for years, as more and more users have been overdrawing its water. The Colorado River basin is made up of parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado, and northern Mexico. Listen: CD6 election, Badwater ultramarathon. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. In addition to releasing the environmental assessment, Lake Mead officials are holding another round of public meetings to discuss boating operations. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS), The crisis, said Eric Kuhn, former general manager of the Colorado River Conservation District, can no longer be ignored. Large-scale farming is really only possible in California's Imperial Valley or central Arizona because of these dams. Eric Kuhn is a retired water district manager from Colorado. Its not new news and I was shocked to see that satellite imagery. As Tony Davis reported for the Arizona Daily Star, the current proposed agreement would see the Central Arizona Project reduce water use up to 15 percent once a shortage is declared at Lake Mead (as opposed to the current 11.5 percent). Alex, thanks so much. Most news outlets make their money through advertising or subscriptions. Las Vegas which gets 90 percent of its water from Lake Mead is likely to be okay for the time being. And as climate change and environmental stresses take their toll, the city and its neighbors will only grow thirstier. "There are going to be cutbacks". That was a good day. A sign warns visitors of the droughts effect at Hemenway Harbor on Lake Mead. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. One big reason these agreements are being rethought is that as the Southwest enters its 16th year of drought, these shrinking reservoirs are becoming harder to dismiss as a temporary blip. I didnt realize it was this bad. Why It Matters, The Palm Springs Government Burned Down Their Neighborhood Now They're Seeking Reparations, You Need Child Care For Your Baby. Is that going to work? We are concerned, but it isnt a crisis, said bureau spokeswoman Patti Aaron. Eric Richins, owner of Big Water Boating, surveys water levels and fish on Lake Mead, where he has led tours for two years. Arizona gets about 2.8 million acre-feet. Lake Mead is unlikely to survive the status quo. From now until the end of 2014, the irrigation district is slated to pay back almost 217,000 acre-feet of extra water it delivered to farms in the Imperial Valley in 2011 and 2012. The Lake Powell reservoir is akin to a leaky faucet. In July 2022, the lake reached a historic low of. USBR 24-Month Study. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates that normal snowfall in the Rockies and the Upper Basin this winter will reverse the present drought. LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Striking new images show just how much the drought has affected Lake Mead, spokesperson from Southern Nevada Water Authority breaks down which states use the most and. What's a parched metropolis that's long ago outgrown its groundwater canteens to do? Boulder City, However, National Park Service officials said they are leaning towards the alternative where they would continue to provide recreational opportunities, including lake access, to the degree that's "financially feasible and cost-effective." Tribes have agreed to leave water in Lake Mead in exchange for payments. The last time one of the animals was seen in California was in 2008, and prior to that the most recent sighting occurred in 1922. 4.4 million acre-feet of water is available to California. Each has signed successive treaties stating how much they receive from the river and dams, with the current agreements expiring in 2025. For those who wanted to fish, he wondered if they like him were perplexed at where to go as the water shifted. Using elaborate systems of concrete-lined straws and. 702 293-8990 Federal officials have declared a shortage in Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the country that serves tens of millions of residents in the West and northern Mexico, amid a historic decadeslong "megadrought" in the region. Kayakers make their way through a shallow stretch of Lake Mead by the now-closed Boulder Harbor boat ramp. Drought-stricken Lake Mead tips toward crisis - Spectrum News Water agencies in Arizona have agreed to pay about $60 . His boat pressed on through the shallows and toward the muck and mud of the expanding shore. By the end of September 2022, the agency expects the river to bring 8.3 million acre-feet of water into Lake Powell, the reservoir on the Utah-Arizona border that precedes Lake Mead. Meantime, falling water levels continue to impact the number of visitors coming to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and it's making operations difficult. Los Angeles water sources map shows where L.A. gets its water.. According to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the river system, drought in Lake Mead is far from an emergency. It is an unprecedented agreement that shows the scale of this unprecedented challenge. This week, NASA released new satellite photos of water loss at Lake Mead from July 2000 to July 2022. First to be hit are locals along the Nevada-Arizona border near Las Vegas, who rely on the lake for tourism, fishing and recreation. We really cant rely on snowpack in the Rockies to refill our reservoirs and mitigate the over-allocation of the river, said Kathryn Sorensen, former director of water services in Phoenix and now with Arizona State University. On a recent morning, Richins pulled up at dawn to Temple Bar Marina about 80 miles from Las Vegas and a popular point for boaters from Arizona to float onto the water. The water was higher, the terrain more familiar, the catch plentiful. These gigantic reservoirs, which help store and supply water from the Colorado River to farmland and cities throughout the Southwest, are in rough shape. However, not all the water in Lake Mead comes from the Colorado River. And it all begins with a snowflake. His journalism frequently explores religion, race, politics, the environment and cultural debates. Finally, there's California. Jammed boats are towed from newly shallow waters. Upon reaching Lake Mead, water from all these sources mixes and flows downstream through the basins. "California is more or less at the top of the water rights hierarchy," she said. Richins drove an hour west to Hemenway Harbor, a launch point in Nevada that has become the site of hours-long traffic jams as one of the few ramps to remain open most days. He squinted and paused as if he had come upon a foreign shore. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. The boat had no chance. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. By submitting your email, you agree to our. Water reduction: 21,600 AF (21% cut, according to the city) 7,200 AF/year between 2023-2025 . I could have sworn I was here just six weeks ago catching smallmouth and bigmouth bass, said the 35-year-old fisherman who runs tours on this 247-square-mile basin where the Colorado River meets the Hoover Dam to form the nations largest reservoir. Lake Mead, a lifeline for water in Los Angeles and the West Heron, grebe and pelicans swam in front of him. Maybe fewer boats were out because of the ramp closures and long lines at the ones still open. While computer modeling helps water managers anticipate future shortages that could affect water supply and tourism, there is a gap in the understanding, said Kuhn, the former head of the Colorado River Conservation District. (SOUNDBITE OF GIANTS' "WHILE THE AGES STEAL"). [Las Vegas pushes to become first to ban ornamental grass]. As part of the deal, the states that rely on Mead water are agreeing to leave about 480,000 acre-feet of that water in Lake Powell, thus lowering the water levels in Mead. Image Credit: NPS. But the water was not where it once was. NASA satellite image of Lake Mead in July 2022. It's worth reading. Regardless of what option the National Park Service chooses, the plan states it would cost millions of dollars to keep these locations running. This article was originally published in the March/April 2017 issue of Popular Science, under the title LAs Far-Ranging Roots.. Lake Mead, which gets its water from the Colorado River, is a very important source of water for Southern California. At full pool, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States by volume and is second only . Having dropped 1.4 million acre-feet from April 2020 to April 2021 and 886,000 acre-feet since then, Lake Meads losses show no sign of slowing down. The mud was too soft. And in 1935, the Hoover Dam was built, and that blocked the river, and water backed up trillions of gallons and created this huge lake where the river was. Thats bad news because the waterway is here to support us and sustain us.. The ultimate score for rich people? The Kurt R. Segler Water Reclamation Facility is Henderson's primary wastewater treatment plant and is capable of treating 32 million gallons of wastewater per day. But to many experts, its a make-or-break moment in the history of a river that has been for decades over-allocated, with less water available than is needed. 3 Does Hoover Dam supply water to California? NASA satellite image of Leake Mead in July 2000. Here's how much Lake Mead could rise after an epic winter and new water The Colorado River begins as a small mountain stream, but as it picks up more and more of the melted snow, it swells into a coursing river. and last updated 1:24 PM, Jun 29, 2023. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Opinion: Weve got it all wrong about sequoias and wildfire, Calmes: The Supreme Courts just-ended term contained some surprising gifts for Democrats. High on the western slope of Colorados Rocky Mountains, storms gather during winter and early spring. At Laker Plaza, a boat storage and supplies stop in Henderson, Nev., near the entrance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Las Vegas Water Rentals and Bait and Tackle shop has taken to advertising to shoreline fishers and tourists who dont need big boats. As he notes, a shortage at Lake Mead under current rules would mainly affect Arizona. Evaporation from Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, Lower Colorado River Basin But anything that feeds off the Colorado River is down. 2023 Southern California Public Radio - All Rights Reserved, Toxic Algae Is Likely Sickening California's Sea Life. Patti Aaron, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, tours the outflow area at the bottom of Hoover Dam, where water is released back into the Colorado River. It's an important first step, but it's in the face of this monumental challenge. Lake Mead's water level stands at 1,045 feet as of January 8. Just check out New Delhi after Diwali, The Fourth of July is all about Americas first principle the right of revolution. Others may just cut back on growing crops like alfalfa. Later, in the 1950s, the government built the Glen Canyon Dam even further upstream to create Lake Powell, to help store and regulate water supplies. But even with that our community had done such a good job conserving that we were well prepared to be able to absorb those cuts without having to make any further, drastic conservation measures at that time, Mack said. We feel the economic impact everywhere. Arizona officials have also been talking about water cuts to all sectors of the state's economy rather than agriculture alone. This is 21 feet lower than the levels recorded at the same point in 2022, and 38 feet lower than the same point in 2021. So we talked to Nicola Ulibarri, who teaches urban planning at UC Irvine to understand the impact. Weeks earlier, he had been in this same spot, spotting boils of striped bass feeding frenzies made up of dozens of fish gathered near the surface. There is very likely to be less water to share in the future. By the end of September 2022, the agency expects the river to bring 8.3 million acre-feet of water into Lake Powell, the reservoir on the Utah-Arizona border that precedes Lake Mead. That's a lot of water moving around the Valley - hundreds of millions of gallons every day in fact. This Compact endeavored to ensure everyones fair share of the river and would be the first in many treaties, agreements, laws and court decisions collectively known as the law of the river.. (The last record low came a year ago, in May 2015.). T he water in Lake Mead comes from several different sources.Although most of the water arrives from the Colorado River, some also comes from the Virgin River, Muddy River, and Las Vegas Wash. And while we may think of all this water as "just water", it's not all the same - each source provides water that's a bit different from each other in terms of temperature, oxygen levels . Support our mission by making a gift today. The chain effect goes on.. Its one thing to know something and another thing to see it happen in front of you, McAfee said. In recent years, drought conditions have reduced snowfall in the Rocky Mountains, yet the demand for water has increased, drastically lowering water levels in the lakes. On Thursday, Lake Mead officially hit its lowest level ever, just 1,074.6 feet above sea level. Today, put a dollar value on the trustworthy reporting you rely on all year long. The full list of meetings are below and you can leave your comments for the plan on the park's planning website here. OK, its not technically theftthe city secured water rights decades ago. Further analysis by the agency gives the reservoir a 58% chance of dropping to 1,025 feet and a 21% chance of hitting 1,000 feet by 2025. I was fishing right here last spring, Richins said, staring in disbelief at the moss, mud and dead cattails that remained where he used to launch his boat. The projection, based on soil moisture, temperatures and precipitation, is updated monthly, but currently goes against the trends of the last two years. But as its supply dwindles, a . But the experts I talked to say this is not at all a silver bullet. Eventually, after snaking through the Grand Canyon, the river empties into the eastern end of Lake Mead. Sign up to receive Popular Science's emails and get the highlights. LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Striking new images show just how much the drought has affected Lake Mead, spokesperson from Southern Nevada Water Authority breaks down which states use the most and the least. As Lake Mead's water recedes, theories emerge about identity of human You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Kaleem reported from Lake Mead and Curwen from Los Angeles. "Its going to be a very painful cutback when we start losing our water, but well do what we can to survive and thats all you can do," one farmer told the Sentinel. But I might have to go elsewhere for now, like Lake Mohave, a 67-mile-long reservoir formed downriver by Davis Dam on the Nevada-Arizona border thats closer to Kingman. The need for a water treaty between states was imminent and resulted in the unprecedented Colorado River Compact of 1922. But the trillions of gallons of water that fill these reservoirs do not originate in Nevada or Arizona; in fact, they have travelled hundreds of miles to get there. Its just $1 per month , By We have carefully considered what we have heard from you and we look forward to working together to find the best path forward for preserving boating access.".
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