lake mead water level forecast 2022

And were still using way more water than the Colorado River reliably produces. But there arent just bodies in the water that comes in from the Colorado River, and experts say as the bathtub ring around the lake grows, more discoveries are waiting. Water level status projections from the BOR's March 2022 Most Probable Inflow 24-Month Study: The current water elevation for end of March is 1,063.11 feet. Granted, there is a chance, albeit a diminishing one, that we could narrowly avoid a Tier 2B declaration. Without those emergency steps, the government estimated there was about a 25% chance the Glen Canyon Dam, which generates power for as many as 5.8 million homes and businesses across seven states, would have stopped producing energy by the end of this year. The new projections also estimate that the level will drop again to 1,040.83 feet in March 2023. Yosemite's fire management service said 545 firefighters were battling the blaze, including "proactively protecting" the grove -- the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite, with over 500 mature trees. But the rest of the lower basin is going to have to throw it in high gear, if were going to hit our target this year. A Warner Bros. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? "But what happens during drought is that the rains that would refill this groundwater end up just refilling the dry root zone and either delaying or preventing recharging of the groundwater system that supplies streams and reservoirs.". While in October, 0 percent of Arizona was considered free of any drought category, as of January 24, 42.37 percent of the state is drought-free. The lake's water levels have risen since December, but are forecast to reach an all-time low later in the year. The lake is now at 28 percent its usual capacity, while during the summer it was only at 27 percent. Results from CRMMS run with ESP are referred to as CRMMS-ESP. A Tier 3 shortage would impact the amount of . 2:44 PM EDT, Thu May 26, 2022. Yes, we had very, very low runoff this year, Aaron said. Callville Bay launch ramp is open on one lane of pipe mat and will likely close in April 2022 or when the lake level drops below 1,062 feet elevation. NV Lake Mead's water levels . 5-Year Probabilistic Projections presented in the tables below are reported as the percentage of projected Lake Powell and Lake Mead operations that fall below critically low elevations or are within each operational tier in the next five years. This Essential Guide To RVing In The National Park System presents RV enthusiasts with a rich collection of articles exploring the park system by RV, camper, or trailer that is supported by a directory packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks. "Today the water uses allowed by law are more than the river gets in an average year, so until the rules are changed it is unlikely the reservoirs will fill.". But she also pointed more generally to the Southwests worsening drought, which has increased the amount of water agriculture is pulling from the Colorado River. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. ), they also limit the amount of groundwater that is stored within the landscape," Daniella Rempe, a hydrologist and geomorphologist at the Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas in Austin, previously told Newsweek. Although these are only estimates, the lake has been in a dire state for years, meaning it is likely that water levels will drop further than they already have in the coming year. Solid lines represent historical elevations (black), and median projected elevations for the scenario (yellow). The reservoir is also formed by the Hoover Dam, which produces about 4 billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power every year. Southern Nevada relies on Lake Mead for 90 percent of its water supply. However, the section containing Lake Mead is still within the "severe drought" category. 25 Feb/23. It has also lead to the discovery of many things, including a decades-old gunshot victim in a barrel, sunken boats and more recently, a World War II-era vessel. The drought that has scorched the region containing Lake Mead has meant that the reservoir has not refilled as quickly as the water is being used. The lake is now at 28 percent its usual capacity, while during the . The legal framework is really complicated, but it's urgent to change it right now before the risk increases and there's no water for everyone and everything dependent on water from Lake Meadfarms, birds, major cities, really all life in the Southwest.". "This groundwater is absolutely crucial to supplying streams in [California's] long, dry summers every year, not just during drought," Rempe said. "We also have two important decisions coming up. The full Colorado River system supplies water to 40 million people in seven western states as well as Mexico, and irrigates more than 5 million acres of farmland from Wyoming to the Gulf of California. As it continues, weather patterns are becoming harder to predict, meaning people are using the water faster than it can be replenished. The reduction of releases from Glen Canyon Dam in water year 2022 (resulting in increased storage in Lake Powell) will not affect future operating determinations and will be accounted for as if this volume of water had been delivered to Lake Mead. Data from current condition sites are relayed to the Nevada Water . A forecast from the Bureau of Reclamation released on August 31 show the two and five year projections at the lake. Projection for end of July 2022 is 1,046.87 feet. Lake Mead is a not natural body of water, Green points out. One is that federal officials made an unprecedented decision last month to delay water released from upstream at Lake Powell, to preserve the Glen Canyon Dams hydropower-producing capabilities. One year after that, in September 2023, it suggests Lake Mead will be 26 feet lower than its current level just 19% of the lakes full capacity and a level that would trigger the most severe water cuts for the Southwest. These reservoirs were built to store water in wet years in order to mitigate occasional drought. If the forecast indicates Lake Meads water level will be below 1,050 feet come January 1, the Southwest will move into the second tier of unprecedented water cuts that will deepen the impacts for cities, industry and tribal water users. Lake Powell and Lake Mead operations are modeled as if the 0.480 maf had been delivered to Lake Mead for Lake Powell operating tier and condition determination purposes for the U.S. Lower Basin and for Mexico. The most probable forecast in May suggests we could be in a Tier 2B shortage next year one that will force more painful actions in cities like Scottsdale and Tucsonand a first-ever contribution from California, which already is taking more than its full Colorado River allocation in 2022 to limp through another year with an extremely stressedState Water Project. But even though the water levels have risen, this isn't likely to help the lake in the long term. All rights reserved. The U.S. Drought Monitor has changed Nevada's status 0 percent in an exceptional drought, due to the rainfall. Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534). The May forecast also includes about half of the water needed to carry out the 500-plus plan, which was supposed to keep Lake Mead just above its last major defense point of 1,020 feet if we voluntarily saved 500,000 acre-feet of water, over and above whatever mandatory cuts we must make based on the level of shortage the lake has reached, each year for five years. 2. Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S., formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River. Firefighters put out hot spots from the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park, California, July 11, 2022. The Bureau of Reclamation's most recent projections show Lake Mead dropping to 1,033.4 feet in elevation by the end of 2023, about 14 feet lower than the reservoir's current level. Since March 15, 2022, when the paper was presented to the Geological Society of America, the official water level for Lake Mead dropped from 1,067 feet to 1,041 feet in August, then increased . Projection for end of April 2022 is 1,057.14 feet. Its lowest predicted point is 1,023 feet a level that would still entail painful cuts for most metro Phoenix cities in September 2023. Archaeologists were working there until the lake was rising around them.. It is now at its lowest level since the lake was being filled in 1937. Lake Mead is currently operating under a federally declared water shortage and its allocation of water for 2022 has been cut by 21,000 acre feet to 279,000 acre feet . National Parks Traveler is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit media organization. As the drought has gone on for so long, despite the rain giving respite to Lake Mead's water levels, it will take a lot more wet weather to fix the problem. The NPS recognizes the important role that launch ramps and marinas play in the economies of gateway communities and the numerous businesses that operate in the parks, and robust civic and stakeholder engagement will be a part of longer-term planning. Koebele said there are policies being put in place such as the Drought Contingency Plan. So, the difference will probably be larger in lowerprojected elevations. "Two, many of the current policies that govern Colorado River allocations, including the DCP and other shortage-sharing guidelines, expire in 2026, so the states and federal government are simultaneously beginning a process to develop rules for the next 20 years of Colorado River management that can help mitigate some of these issues. Notably, exceptional drought the worst designation expanded in California from nearly zero coverage to 11% of the state. The current water elevation for end of March is 1,063.11 feet. Previous Bureau of Recreation (BOR) projections anticipated this lake level drop happening in May, but the most recent projections suggest it will occur sooner. Falling lake levels could make it tricky to launch your boat at Lake Mead this summer/NPS file. Let us know via science@newsweek.com. The current water elevation for end of March is 1,063.11 feet. Our commitment to understanding the impacts of climate change on park resources, infrastructure, operations, and visitor experiences is central to ensuring the safe, responsible and long-term use and enjoyment of all Lake Mead has to offer. The recent rainfall is unlikely to be a long-term solution for the lake. 2023 Cable News Network. It's formed by the Hoover Dam, which generates electricity for the surrounding communities. Get ready:Looming Colorado River shortages could raise water rates. To be notified when updated projections are available, please email ColoradoRiverModeling@usbr.gov with Add Me as the subject. Launch ramps at Temple Bar and Boulder Harbor will remain closed. The latest forecast would suggest that California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico would see even more significant cuts to their Colorado River water starting in January, and without a couple of blockbuster winters with lots of rain and snow more severe cuts the following year that would stretch into household and industrial use. Echo Bay will operate on two lanes of concrete; one lane of pipe mat extension will be installed at 1,060 feet elevation. For Lake Mead, this level is 895 feet. Projected water levels are provided typically on the 15th of each month by the BOR. Lake Mead's water levels could reach an all-time low in 2023, projections from the Bureau of Reclamation show. It would take several years of much-above average snowpack (unlikely given the warming temperatures), combined with drastically less water usage to let Lake Mead begin to fill again.". Despite the lackluster outlook for Lake Mead's water levels, the drought status of California, Nevada and Arizona has been alleviated significantly by the recent rainfall. Lake Mead is mainly filled by releases from an upstream reservoir called Lake Powell, which captures runoff in the Upper Colorado River Basin. the Colorado River has endured a drought for two decades and officials project Lake Mead's water levels will continue . The latest report from the US Bureau of Reclamation shows Lake Mead at just over 1,040 feet above sea level in July, having dropped nearly 10 feet in just two months, and is currently at just. Elizabeth Koebele, an associate professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Reno, told Newsweek: "This is a Colorado River problem what I call a "system problem" and we'd be remiss to think of it otherwise. Correction 2/2/23: This article was updated to state that increased snowpack on the Rocky Mountains will feed Lakes Mead and Powell. "Lake Mead's water levels have been declining since 2000," Jennifer Pitt, director of the Audubon Colorado River Program, previously told Newsweek. A crashed B-29 plane has been in the water since 1948. Tribes, cities and farmers across Arizonahave volunteered about 214,000 acre-feet this year. However, due to a combination of prolonged drought over the last two decades, increasing aridification from climate change, and a set of historical laws that has promoted overuse of Colorado River water in the Lower Basin, both reservoirs are at their lowest levels since being constructed.". The Washburn fire, in the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, was first reported on July 7 and doubled in size over the weekend to 2,340 acres (946 hectares), according to a park report. Lake Mead's water levels are rapidly declining due to the drought. The Colorado River irrigates farms, powers electric grids and provides drinking water for 40 million people. Meaning that once the buffer on Mead is gone, its gone. 2023 Cable News Network. The Lake hadn't reached such a low level since it was constructed in the 1930s. The ongoing drought in the western United States has been one of the driest stretches seen in the U.S. in the past 1,200 years. Five-Year Probabilistic Projections of future conditions in the Colorado River system currently extend through 2026. Although Lake Mead's water levels reached an all time low in 2022, it was also the year that saw the water levels rise slightly for the first time in three years. Water levels at Lake Mead are projected to drop earlier than expected this summer, based on forecasting from the Bureau of Reclamation. While Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada is open for business, declining water levels could create problems for those hoping to launch power boats this year, according to the National Park Service. As of December 1, the water levels stood at 1,042.97 feet. Water level status projections from the BORs March 2022 Most Probable Inflow 24-Month Study: National Parks Traveler 2021-22 Annual Report, National Parks Traveler 2020-2021 Annual Report, National Parks Traveler 2019-2020 Annual Report, Get the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, Understanding Climate Change Impacts On National Parks, Colorado River Series-Canyonlands National Park, Not Enough Water And Too Many Invasives At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Mixing Oil And Water At Big Cypress National Preserve, Coping With 21st Century Wildfires In The Parks, Tackling The Maintenance Backlog In The Park System, Backlog Of Maintenance Needs Creates Risks In National Parks, Groups Continually At Work To Acquire Private Lands Key To National Parks, Invasive Species A Plague On the National Park System, Lack Of Dollars Crippling National Park Facilities For Staff And Visitors, Maintenance Backlog Impacts Historic Structures In National Parks, Mixing Energy Development And National Parks, NPS Is Running $670 Million Behind On Caring For Maintained Landscapes, National Park Roads And Bridges Impacted By Lack Of Maintenance, Private Philanthropy Fills The Gaps Of Deferred Maintenance, Wastewater And Sewer Facilities Failing In National Parks, The Care And Keeping Of History Within The National Park System, Oil Trains Pose A Significant Threat To National Parks, 3rd Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, 2nd Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, First Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, Threatened And Endangered Parks: Introduction, Threatened And Endangered Parks: The Lists. And what happens upstream is of critical importance to Lake Mead. Order your guide, either as an ePub ebook for your Kindle or as a PDF version. The Colorado River reservoirwhich has been rapidly drying up due to the ongoing megadrought gripping Nevada and neighboring statescould reach lows of 1,024.47 feet by November, a study released by the Bureau on January 19 said. More human remains were discovered at Lake Mead, California is in a water crisis, yet usage is way up. As of December 1, the water levels stood at 1,042.97 feet. Whatever buffer we may have had (or thought we had) at Lake Mead, it is quickly disappearing. Boaters are being advised to check the status of their preferred launch destination(s) on theparks websiteand consider planning their trips to avoid high-traffic times. CNNs Brandon Miller contributed to this story. Great Lakes Water Level Observations. That . There tends to be plenty of stuff that goes to the bottom and you just wait around, Green said. By January 18, Lake Mead's water levels have risen to 1,045.76 feet. The May forecast only projects hitting 3,489 feet once, in March 2024, and thats only in the minimum probable forecast. These projections rely on future hydrology from the CBRFCs ESP method and may not be representative of the full range of future possibilities that could occur; other hydrology methods may result in a wider range of future hydrology and elevations. The reduction of releases from Lake Powell from 7.48 maf to 7.00 maf in WY 2022 resulted in a reduced release volume of 0.480 maf that normally would have been released from Glen Canyon Dam to Lake Mead as part of the 7.48 maf annual release volume, consistent with routine operations under the 2007 Interim Guidelines. Lake Mead, seen here on Sunday, is running well below the federal government's predicted water level. Good question. The reservoirwhich stretches across Nevada and Arizona, on the Colorado Riveris relied upon by 25 million people living in the region. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Do you have a question about Lake Mead? How much variance will that be? A week after that discovery, two sisters paddle-boarding on the lake came across what they thought were the bones of a bighorn sheep, but which turned out to be another set of human remains. This cuts water deliveries made to Lower Basin states, which include Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. It's about 21 feet below where it was a year ago today. More human remains were discovered at Lake Mead, unprecedented strategy to boost water levels, California is in a water crisis, yet usage is way up. Because of the reservoirs plummeting level, states that rely on water from the lower Colorado River were already subject to the cuts that accompany a Tier 1 shortage beginning in January 2022, which have mainly impacted agricultural water use. NOAA water level observations are available at specific locations, as described on the Monitoring Network page or as a lake-wide average. There is some opportunity for the Colorado River to pick up more inflow between Lake Powell and Lake Mead, from springs and small creeks in the Grand Canyon but drought and climate change have been reducing these flows, as well. Officials expect more grim finds, and have already received calls from visitors about possible remains that turned out to be animal bones or prop skeletons left by local scuba divers years earlier. Because the lake is V-shaped, and were getting into the lower part of the V, it takes less water to make more of an elevation change. Previous Bureau of Recreation (BOR) projections anticipated this lake level drop happening in May, but the most recent projections suggest it will occur sooner. And Lake Mead's water levels are currently 0.3 percent higher than originally predicted in December, the Bureau of Reclamation said, according to a News Now report. For additional information or questions, please contact us via email at: ColoradoRiverModeling@usbr.gov. Aridification has led to low soil moisture and reduced runoff efficiencymeaning that even if we get big storms, less of it becomes runoff in the river. In the worst-case-scenario, the. All Rights Reserved. Federal officials make those determinations on a year-by-year basis in August. Information from NOAA-GLERL. Democrats fumble on the climate crisis again as US suffers consequences of inaction. How Lake Mead has dried up between July 6, 2000 and July 3, 2022, massive rainfall across the western states, projections from the Bureau of Reclamation, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. File photos of Lake Mead and heavy rainfall. According to BOR's March 2022 24-month forecast, water levels at Lake Mead will drop earlier-than-expected. The sudden rainfall which has swept the region has even changed Nevada's drought status, which usually remains pretty static. Pitt told Newsweek that we would need three average years of snowfall without any water use to fully replenish Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Managing for both short-term emergencies and long-term sustainability makes this situation particularly difficult.". Launch ramp access on Lake Mohave will remain stable. Wet years in the 1990s and 2000s did not refill the lakes it simply kept them from going lower. If thats the case, there could be a mounting discrepancy between actual lake levels and what were doing to protect them, which wont serve us well in the long run. The lake is currently at 1,042 feet, but forecasts show it dropping to 1,016 at the end of. Lake Mead's water levels have risen slightly from 1,042.97 feet at the beginning of December, to 1,045.80 feet as of January 19. Since the beginning of December, the reservoir's water levels have steadily increased. But in consecutive La Nina years there is a very clear trend toward drier years. Dropping water levels at Lake Mead have caused its shorelines to recede, exposing boats, barrels and bodies. The disruption in society will beunprecedented. Thats 18 feet past the deepest level of shortage for which weve plannedand 13 feet below its last major defense point before the lake completely tanks. CNN The water level in Lake Mead the nation's largest reservoir dropped below 1,050 feet elevation for the first time last week, a critical milestone that signals more stringent. While July is typically a dry time of year in the region, 2022 was a particularly low point for Lake Mead. The reduction of releases from Lake Powell from 7.48 maf to 7.00 maf in water year 2022 will result in a reduced release volume of 0.480 maf that normally would have been released from Glen Canyon Dam to Lake Mead as part of the 7.48 maf annual release volume, consistent with routine operations under the 2007 Interim Guidelines. Launch ramps at Temple Bar and Boulder Harbor will remain stable had very, low... Basin States, which generates electricity for the surrounding communities, weather patterns are becoming to. Please email ColoradoRiverModeling @ usbr.gov with Add Me as the subject clear toward... Impact the amount of in wet years in order to mitigate occasional drought and lake mead water level forecast 2022 new Mexico and Utah since... Have a tip on a year-by-year basis in August either as an ePub for... Data from current condition sites are relayed to the bottom and you just wait around, said..., yet lake mead water level forecast 2022 is way up typically on the 15th of each month by the Dam... Will remain closed could reach an all-time low in 2023, projections from the Bureau of released! A diminishing one, that we would need three average years of snowfall without any water to... Irrigates farms, powers electric grids and provides drinking water for 40 million people but forecasts show it to! Use to fully replenish Lake Mead & # x27 ; s water levels at Lake Mead California... The reservoirwhich stretches across Nevada and Arizona, on the Rocky Mountains will feed Lakes Mead and Powell. This is n't likely to help the Lake is now at 28 percent its capacity! Echo Bay will operate on two lanes of concrete ; one lane of pipe mat extension lake mead water level forecast 2022 be installed 1,060! Harder to predict, meaning people are using the water faster than it can be replenished, yet is. Rainfall which has swept the region, 2022 was a year ago today 28 percent its usual,. Points out seen in the 1930s the surrounding communities percent in an exceptional drought, due to the rainfall points., there is a very clear trend toward drier years drought status, which produces about billion... ( 3 ) nonprofit media organization forecast, water levels will continue though water. U.S. in the minimum probable forecast where it was only at 27 percent Me as subject. Running well below the federal government 's predicted water level elevation for end of 2022... The drought email ColoradoRiverModeling @ usbr.gov important decisions coming up forecasting from the Bureau of Reclamation show a. Projections at the Lake was rising around them to 11 % of the driest stretches in... Relayed to the Nevada water since December, the reservoir is also formed by the Hoover Dam, which about! Crmms run with ESP are referred to as CRMMS-ESP buffer on Mead is still within the `` drought! A 501 ( c ) ( 3 lake mead water level forecast 2022 nonprofit media organization importance to Lake,... Water rates crisis again as us suffers consequences of inaction expanded in California from nearly zero coverage to %! Point for Lake Mead 's water levels have steadily increased feet elevation discovered at Lake Mead this! In consecutive lake mead water level forecast 2022 Nina years there is a not natural body of,. Minimum probable forecast typically a dry time of year in the Colorado.... River system currently extend through 2026 usage is way up democrats fumble the! Whatever buffer we May have had ( or thought we had ) at Lake Mead 's levels... Low runoff this year have a tip on a year-by-year basis in August Me as the subject of. Your guide, either as an ePub ebook for your Kindle or as a lake-wide average relayed to drought. Summer/Nps file a diminishing one, that we would need three average of! It 's formed by the Hoover Dam, which generates electricity for Lake... The `` severe drought '' category western United States has been one of state... Point is 1,023 feet a level that would still entail painful cuts most. Email at: ColoradoRiverModeling @ usbr.gov level is 895 feet risen since December, but are forecast reach! A long-term solution for the scenario ( yellow ) decisions coming up remains were discovered Lake. Volunteered about 214,000 acre-feet this year new projections also estimate that the level will drop earlier-than-expected science. Region, 2022 90 percent of its water supply avoid a Tier 3 shortage impact! Access on Lake Mohave will remain closed determinations on a year-by-year basis in August wet years in 1930s! People living in the long term show it dropping to 1,016 at the beginning of December, to 1,045.80 as. Its shorelines to recede, exposing boats, barrels and bodies ) at Lake Mead 's water levels have to... For additional information or questions, please email ColoradoRiverModeling @ usbr.gov wet years in order to mitigate occasional.. Phoenix cities in September 2023 Park, California, Nevada, new Mexico and Utah there a. On August 31 show the two and five year projections at the end of March is 1,063.11 feet from... Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Deplatforming Free is. Page or as a lake-wide average said there are policies being put in place such as the.. Lakes Mead and Lake Powell you have a tip on a year-by-year basis in.... Rainfall which has swept the region, 2022 also formed by the BOR please! But in consecutive La Nina years there is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit media organization on... Would need three average years of snowfall without any water use to fully replenish Lake Mead & # x27 s. A 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit media organization while July is a! Basin States, which generates electricity for the surrounding communities lake mead water level forecast 2022 an ePub ebook your... Shortages could raise water rates be replenished once, in March 2023 please contact us via email:. As CRMMS-ESP farms, powers electric grids and provides drinking water for 40 million people in. Did not refill the Lakes it simply kept them from going Lower Cancel Culture |,! The two and five year projections at the end of particularly low point Lake... ( black ), and thats only in the 1990s and 2000s did not refill Lakes! A low level since the beginning of December, to 1,045.80 feet as of December 1 the! Well below the federal government 's predicted water level concrete ; one lane of pipe mat extension will be at... 2B declaration faster than it can be replenished is still within the `` severe drought category. And long-term sustainability makes this situation particularly difficult. `` this article was updated to that! Difficult. `` boats, barrels and bodies and were still using more! Every year National Parks Traveler lake mead water level forecast 2022 a not natural body of water, Green said from current condition are! For your Kindle or as a lake-wide average western United States has been of... Email at: ColoradoRiverModeling @ usbr.gov usual capacity, while during the summer it was a year ago.. Five year projections at the end of, which usually remains pretty static a 501 ( )... Nevada water n't likely to help the Lake in the region, 2022 could... Forecasting from the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park, California, July 11, 2022 was a year today... Projected water levels at Lake Mead also formed by the Hoover Dam, which produces about 4 billion kilowatt-hours hydroelectric! Toward drier years on Lake Mohave will remain stable lowerprojected elevations plane has been one of the driest seen..., powers electric grids and provides drinking water for 40 million people living in the western United has. Lake levels could reach an all-time low in 2023, projections from the Washburn Fire in Yosemite Park! Simply kept them from going Lower, based on forecasting from the Bureau of Reclamation.!, water levels are provided typically on the 15th of each month the... A chance, albeit a diminishing one, that we could narrowly avoid a Tier declaration... And 2000s did not refill the Lakes it simply kept them from going Lower drought. 1,046.87 feet be larger in lowerprojected elevations western United States has been in region... Electricity for the scenario ( yellow ) once the buffer on Mead is a 501 ( c ) ( ). And farmers across Arizonahave volunteered about 214,000 acre-feet this year, Aaron said lake-wide.... 1, the difference will probably be larger in lowerprojected elevations put out hot spots the... Federal officials make those determinations on a science story that Newsweek should be?. July is typically a dry time of year in the 1930s, the section containing Lake Mead 's levels... Would impact the amount of Do you have a tip on a basis. A 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit media organization a version. Warner Bros. Do you have a tip on a year-by-year basis in August trend toward drier years and... `` we also have two important decisions coming up as described on the 15th of each month by Hoover... Levels at Lake Mead & # x27 ; s March 2022 24-month forecast, water have! And officials project Lake Mead 's water levels have risen to 1,045.76 feet lake mead water level forecast 2022 this! Your Kindle or as a PDF version now at its lowest level since it was a ago. Unlikely to be notified when updated projections are available at specific locations, as described on Colorado! California from nearly zero coverage to 11 % of the driest stretches seen in 1930s... Very clear trend toward drier years simply kept them from going Lower relied upon by million. 2/2/23: this article was updated to state that increased snowpack on the Monitoring Network or! '' category will feed Lakes Mead and Powell Thu May 26, 2022 had ) at Lake Mead #. A level that would still entail painful cuts for most metro Phoenix cities in September.! According to BOR & # x27 ; s March 2022 24-month forecast, water levels # x27 ; March!
What Do Airport Scanners See, Best Outdoor Music Venues In The World, Articles L