Lake Mead's Shrinking Waters Spark Boat Problem
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.
As water levels at Lake Mead keep dropping, officials are actively removing abandoned boats, describing them as "eyesores" on the landscape, says Fox 5.
Why It Matters
Lake Mead provides essential water to millions across Nevada, Arizona, California, and parts of Mexico. But falling water levels may threaten municipal water supplies, agricultural irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.
Lake Mead and the "bathtub ring" are shown along the Colorado River near the Hoover Dam on March 14, 2025 in Boulder City, Nevada.
Lake Mead and the "bathtub ring" are shown along the Colorado River near the Hoover Dam on March 14, 2025 in Boulder City, Nevada.What To Know
Many boats have since been removed as levels drop, officials describing the task as a priority, the outlet reported.
"That's why we want to clean up some of the boats that are left," Lake Mead National Recreation Area superintendent Mike Gauthier said in a 2023 clip published by Fox 5. "The visuals are really unattractive and don't help the park."
Park officials told Fox 5 that the abandoned boats pose a danger to boaters. As more visitors are drawn to them, the sites can become littered with trash and graffiti, the outlet reported.
The cleanup effort has been underway for some time, yourNEWS reported. As far back as 2023, officials were seeking volunteers to help remove abandoned boats from the growing stretches of exposed terrain, it said.
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S., capable of storing nearly 29 million acre-feet of water. Close behind is Lake Powell, with a capacity of around 26 million acre-feet.
Recent forecasts lowered runoff into Lake Powell to just 55 percent of average, down from an earlier estimate of 67 percent, due to an underwhelming winter snowpack.
Lake Mead, which receives flows from Lake Powell, hit critically low levels during the summer of 2022, following years of drought.
At the time of writing, Lake Mead's water levels were 1,055.86 feet mean sea level, 173.14 feet below its full pool of 1,229, according to Lakes Online, an online resource for lake and reservoir information.
What People Are Saying
Lake Mead National Recreation Area Superintendent Mike Gauthier said in a statement, as reported by Fox 5: "We have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to clean up and protect this incredible resource. Through efforts like Love Lake Mead program, we're inviting the community to be part of the solution."
What Happens Next
A recent study found that increasing wastewater recycling to 40 percent in the Colorado River Basin could save around 900,000 acre-feet of water each year, which would be enough to supply nearly two million homes.
Meanwhile, the states that depend on the Colorado River have been in talks to establish new water-sharing agreements by 2026.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Flash flood warning issued for several parts of DMV amid severe storms
The Brief A flash flood warning has been issued for parts of the DMV. It is in effect until 12 a.m. for D.C., Prince George's County and Montgomery County. Radar shows that one to three inches of rain has already fallen, and an additional one to three inches is possible. WASHINGTON - We are tracking strong, heavy rain-producing storms across the region. Warnings issued We have a flash flood warning in effect until 12 a.m. for D.C., Prince George's County and Montgomery County. The National Weather Service has also issued a warning for Sterling, Arlington County, Falls Church and other parts of Fairfax County. According to FOX 5's Jen Delgado, doppler radar shows that one to three inches of rain has already fallen, and an additional one to three inches is possible. READ MORE: Trump military parade on schedule despite thunderstorm threat: Army The NWS also issued a Special Marine Warning including the Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Indian Head MD until 9:15 p.m. At this time, officials say life-threatening flooding is possible. More details The National Weather Service specifically listed some locations that could experience flash flooding. This includes: Arlington Alexandria Rockville Bethesda Reston Annandale Springfield College Park Herndon Greenbelt Fairfax Langley Park Beltsville Vienna Falls Church Huntington
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tropical Storm Dalila Rainfall Map Shows Where Mexico Might Get Hit Hardest
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. Tropical Storm Dalila is expected to drop up to 9 inches of rain along Mexico's southwestern coast through Sunday morning, with National Hurricane Center (NHC) experts warning of mudslides and flooding. Newsweek reached out to the NHC by email for comment. Why It Matters The Eastern Pacific hurricane season began on May 15 and has seen a very active start. Tropical Storm Alvin kicked off the season in late May, followed by Hurricane Barbara and Tropical Storm Cosme. All three storms formed before the average first date of June 10 for a named storm in the region. Now, the fourth storm, Tropical Storm Dalila, is strengthening off the southwestern coast of Mexico. A map from the National Hurricane Center shows possible rainfall amounts in Mexico this weekend. A map from the National Hurricane Center shows possible rainfall amounts in Mexico this weekend. National Hurricane Center What To Know Maximum sustained winds have reached 40 mph, and forecasters anticipate that the storm will continue strengthening into Saturday. The NHC anticipates that Dalila will take a western trek away from land and further into the Pacific Ocean. However, the storm is close enough to southwestern Mexico that some indirect land impacts are anticipated. One of the biggest will be heavy rain. A rainfall forecast map published by the NHC shows that the heaviest rain is expected in coastal regions of Guerrero and Michoacan De Ocampo. "Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected across portions of the Mexican states of Guerrero, Michoacán, and Colima through Sunday morning, with localized amounts up to 9 inches near the coast," NHC said in the forecast. "This rainfall will lead to areas of flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain near the coast." In addition to heavy rainfall, the storm is causing high swells in the Pacific Ocean that will affect parts of the southwestern Mexico coast over the weekend. "These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," a forecast from the NHC said. What People Are Saying An NHC forecast: "A turn toward the northwest is expected later today, with a turn toward the west forecast by Sunday. On the forecast track, Dalila is forecast to move parallel to, but offshore of, the southwestern coast of Mexico. "Dalila is a large system. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 310 miles (500 km) from the center." AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski, in a report: "Beyond Dalila, another area could develop between June 17 and 20. This area of concern would be farther to the east, likely just offshore of the far southern coast of Mexico or even just offshore of Guatemala, but would likely take a similar track." What Happens Next Tropical Storm Dalila is expected to begin weakening later this weekend. Forecasts anticipate that it will be a post-tropical depression by Monday.
Newsweek
16 hours ago
- Newsweek
Pope Leo and Trump's Big US Events Get Very Different Weather Forecasts
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. Two major public events scheduled for Saturday—President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C., and a public mass honoring Pope Leo XIV in Chicago—are expected to unfold under very different weather conditions. Why It Matters In Chicago, tens of thousands are expected to attend a citywide mass at Guaranteed Rate Field celebrating Pope Leo, the first U.S.-born pontiff. The pope is not attending in person but will deliver a video message during the event. Forecasts from AccuWeather and the National Weather Service (NWS) indicate sunshine and partly cloudy skies, accompanied by mild temperatures, with a 6 percent chance of precipitation. On the same day, Washington, D.C., will host a major military parade celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th birthday. It is also Trump's 79th birthday. D.C. forecasts predict cloudy and humid weather, with a 78 percent chance of rain and possible thunderstorms, which could disrupt key segments, including the flyovers and parachute demonstrations. What To Know The Archdiocese of Chicago says on its website that the papal celebration "will feature a video message from Pope Leo XIV to the young people of the world, which will be broadcast first from our event, there will also be celebration prayer music. This celebration will be livestreamed." Leo will appear on big screens at Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, at the event. Gates for the event open at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, with the program set to begin at 2:30 p.m. The day will conclude with a Holy Mass at 4 p.m., led by Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago. Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost appears on the balcony of the St Peter's Basilica at The Vatican on May 8, 2025. Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost appears on the balcony of the St Peter's Basilica at The Vatican on May 8, 2025. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images Trump's "Salute to America"–style military parade begins in the late afternoon along Constitution Avenue. It will feature thousands of military personnel, hundreds of vehicles, and a flyover of 50 aircraft. The New York Times reports the parade will feature 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks (each weighing 70 tons), 28 Stryker armored personnel carriers, more than 100 other military vehicles, 6,700 soldiers, 50 helicopters, 34 horses, two mules, and one dog. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will shut down for several hours on June 14 to accommodate Washington's military parade, affecting more than 100 flights and thousands of passengers. What People Are Saying President Donald Trump said at the Congressional Picnic on Thursday: "I hope the weather's OK, but actually if it's not, that brings you good luck, and that's OK, too. It doesn't matter. It doesn't affect the tanks at all, it doesn't affect the soldiers. They're used to it. They're tough. Smart." The Vatican's news service, in a June 2 press release: "Although Pope Leo XIV will not be present in Chicago for the event, he has announced that he will be participating remotely from Rome, with a video message to be played at the gathering." What Happens Next Officials in both cities are preparing for large crowds and heightened security. In Washington, protest groups have announced plans to demonstrate, and contingency plans are being reviewed due to weather risks.
