Lake Mead Warning Issued: 'On a Knife's Edge'
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A warning has been issued over low water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, with advocates saying the Colorado River Basin is "on a knife's edge."
Dry conditions and disappointing runoff from winter snowpack have sharply reduced the Colorado River's flow, straining a vital water supply for millions across the American Southwest.
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 could potentially jeopardize municipal water supplies, agricultural irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.
A ferry boat passes Rock Island rises on Lake Mead along the Colorado River on March 14, 2025 in Boulder City, Nevada.
A ferry boat passes Rock Island rises on Lake Mead along the Colorado River on March 14, 2025 in Boulder City, Nevada.What To Know
As of May 30, Lake Mead's water level measured 1,057.43 feet mean sea level (MSL), 171.57 feet below its full pool of 1,229. Lake Powell was at 3,558.92 feet MSL, 141.08 feet below its full pool of 3,700 feet, according to Lakes Online, an online resource for lake and reservoir information.
The levels, combined with disappointing snowmelts, have raised the prospect of deeper shortages and cutbacks in water deliveries in the years ahead, according to the Los Angeles Times.
John Berggren, the regional policy manager for the nonprofit group Western Resource Advocates, told the paper, "Increasing temperatures in recent decades are having a real impact on runoff."
"It's something that, unfortunately, we're going to see more and more of, where you need well above average snowpack to come somewhere close to average runoff because of the warming temperatures," he continued.
"We're kind of on a knife's edge between being OK and being in very scary, catastrophic situations," Berggren added.
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S., with a capacity of nearly 29 million acre-feet of water. It is followed closely by Lake Powell, which can hold some 26 million acre-feet.
Lake Mead, which receives flows from Lake Powell, hit critically low levels during the summer of 2022 following years of drought. Levels have somewhat recovered since.
What People Are Saying
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, told the Los Angeles Times: "This is another year that is not going to help the Colorado basin's long-term water crisis. It's going to make things worse. This year will once again be putting more stress on the Colorado system."
Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal previously: "It's going to be a painful summer, watching the levels go down. We're getting to those dangerous levels we saw a few years ago."
"These types of runoff conditions make water managers nervous. They make NGOs nervous, and they certainly make water users nervous."
What Happens Next
An earlier study from UCLA and the Natural Resources Defense Council suggested that raising wastewater recycling to 40 percent in the Colorado Basin could conserve nearly 900,000 acre-feet annually, potentially supplying nearly two million households.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Path of Tropical Storm Behind Hurricane Erin Suddenly Shifts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The expected path of a disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean behind Hurricane Erin—with the potential to develop into a cyclone—has shifted since Tuesday, according to data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). As of 1:38 p.m. EDT Tuesday, NHC graphics suggested the disturbance was expected to track northwest over Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. By early Wednesday, updated NHC maps instead showed it curving northward before reaching Puerto Rico. According to the agency, the disturbance had a 10 percent chance of cyclone formation through 48 hours, and a "medium" 60 percent chance through seven days. The left image shows the disturbance in question as of 1:38 p.m. EDT Tuesday, with the right showing it as of 1:44 a.m. Wednesday. The left image shows the disturbance in question as of 1:38 p.m. EDT Tuesday, with the right showing it as of 1:44 a.m. Wednesday. National Hurricane Center More to follow.
Newsweek
16 hours ago
- Newsweek
Spaghetti Models Show Potential Paths of Next Two Tropical Storms
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Atlantic hurricane season is ramping up, with National Hurricane Center (NHC) meteorologists monitoring two disturbances behind Hurricane Erin that have a chance of strengthening into tropical storms in the coming days. Spaghetti models, or computer models illustrating potential storm paths, show an early look at where those storms might go if they develop. Why It Matters Hurricane Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Meteorologists have issued numerous warnings that the season doesn't reach its peak until mid-September. NHC meteorologists are tracking two potential disturbances now in Erin's wake, with early spaghetti models showing that at least one of the systems could take a similar path as Erin did toward the Lesser Antilles. A map from the NHC shows two new disturbances behind Hurricane Erin. A map from the NHC shows two new disturbances behind Hurricane Erin. National Hurricane Center What To Know Official storm path forecasts have not been released for either of the two disturbances, as it is too soon to know for certain where they might go. However, the spaghetti models show both disturbances heading west. The disturbance with the highest chance of development is near the Leeward Islands in the Tropical Atlantic. "A tropical wave located over the central tropical Atlantic continues to produce a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms," an NHC update about the disturbance said. "Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form toward the end of the week or this weekend. This system should move westward to west-northwestward at about 20 mph and approach the vicinity of the Leeward Islands on Friday." The system has a 10 percent chance of strengthening in the next 48 hours, and a 60 percent chance of doing so in the next seven days. The other system is much closer to the western coast of Africa in the eastern tropical Atlantic. "A tropical wave located a couple of hundred miles to the southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands continues to produce a concentrated area of showers and thunderstorms," the NHC said. "Environmental conditions appear generally favorable for additional development over the next couple of days as the system moves westward at around 15 mph. Towards the end of this week, this system could encounter a less favorable environment, limiting its development chances after that time." This system has a 30 percent chance of forming in the next 48 hours and in the next seven days. What People Are Saying AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek: "The first lead wave, it's going to be following in Erin's footsteps here. It's going to be moving through water that's mixed up from Erin, so we don't expect it to blow up like Erin did because it's going to move through cooler waters." DaSilva added: "The wave behind it we need to watch closely. It's a little further south, so that one should avoid the wake of Erin. We'll have to watch for development with that one, but it could be going into a harsh environment, so it might be ripped apart by some [wind] sheer." What Happens Next Meteorologists will continue to monitor the systems, as well as Hurricane Erin as it passes east of the U.S. this week. Should more tropical storms develop, people in the impacted areas should follow local weather guidance.
Newsweek
18 hours ago
- Newsweek
Millions to Be Hit by Massive Waves Across Three States
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of people across at least three East Coast states can expect massive, life-threatening waves this week as Hurricane Erin passes by the U.S. Why It Matters As of the most recent update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Erin is a strong Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained wind speeds of 110 mph. Fluctuations in storm strength are possible over the next few days. Although Erin won't be making landfall in the U.S, the massive storm will pass close enough to the East Coast to spur 20-foot waves in some cases, prompting warnings across North Carolina, Massachusetts and New York. What to Know One of the most severe risks facing the U.S. as the hurricane passes by will be dangerous ocean conditions. AccuWeather reported that beaches extending into the ocean, such as North Carolina's Outer Banks; Cape Cod, Massachusetts; and Long Island, New York, will face the largest waves. A stock photo shows large waves in Long Island, New York. A stock photo shows large waves in Long Island, New York. WoodysPhotos/Getty National Weather Service (NWS) offices have already issued myriad warnings related to the storm, including high surf advisories. "Large, dangerous waves will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures," said a high surf advisory issued by the NWS office in Morehead, North Carolina In addition to the dangerous waves, "extreme beach and coastal damage" is likely. "Actions will need to be taken to protect life and property. Very dangerous swimming and surfing conditions expected, as well as the wave action resulting in significant beach erosion," the North Carolina advisory said. Even watching the waves can be dangerous, and NWS meteorologist Casey Dail urged people to not get too close. "It's certainly going to get worse throughout the day today and really peaking tomorrow into Thursday," Dail told Newsweek. "We would advise people to not get too close." Dangerous waves have already begun. A high surf advisory is already in place for Boston, Massachusetts. The advisory will go into effect for North Carolina beginning at noon on Tuesday. In New York, the high surf advisory will go into effect from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday. In some areas, a storm surge watch also is in place. What People Are Saying NWS Morehead in a high surf advisory: "Everyone should remain out of the water due to extremely dangerous surf conditions." NWS New York in a high surf advisory: "Life-threatening swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Life-threatening rip currents are likely for all people entering the surf zone. Anyone visiting the beaches should stay out of the surf. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water." What Happens Next Beachgoers should stay out of the water while the dangerous waves are in effect. People in the impacted areas should monitor local weather guidance as the storm progresses.
