- Hundreds of firefighters scrambled Monday to prevent a wildfire engulfing an area of rare giant sequoia trees in California's Yosemite National Park. Its far below what the outlooks were predicting as of last year. Lake Mead, seen here on Sunday, is running well below the federal government's predicted water level. The agricultural demands downstream have actually been higher this year because it was a warmer and drier spring than normal, Aaron said. 2023 Cable News Network. Forecast; Maps; Severe Weather; Hurricanes; . Whatever buffer we may have had (or thought we had) at Lake Mead, it is quickly disappearing. At the beginning of 2022, the lake's water levels were at 1,066 feet. Lake levels are expressed as altitudes the number of feet the lake's surface is above sea level not as depths. "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. During this time, areas saw more than a half inch of rain in just 10 minutes, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported at the time. Help power the National Parks Travelers coverage of national parks and protected areas. Launch ramp access on Lake Mohave will remain stable. 2. Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above. One of the towns final residents left in 1938 when waters reached his front door, according to the Deseret News. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. However, boaters should expect higher congestion at these locations. Highest congestion at launch ramps typically occurs on weekends, so weekday visits are encouraged when possible to enjoy the lake with fewer crowds. Which lets just call it now is highly unlikely. Correction 2/2/23: This article was updated to state that increased snowpack on the Rocky Mountains will feed Lakes Mead and Powell. But it's a sign of a much bigger problem. The drought in the Western U.S. has been ongoing for two decades. 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. Dr. Joellen Russell, a climate scientist and professor at the University of Arizona and member of the group Science Moms, told Newsweek: "Lake Mead is more than 180 feet below its "full level" and hasn't been close to full since 1999. The May forecast only projects hitting 3,489 feet once, in March 2024, and thats only in the minimum probable forecast. That . Its dead pool levels where the water is so low that it cannot flow through the hydroelectric Hoover dam will occur at 895 feet and below. 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. The reservoirs forecasts are also now accounting for the falling water level and the governments emergency actions at Lake Powell, Meads upstream neighbor and the countrys second-largest reservoir. The 5-Year Probabilistic Projections are generated using the Colorado River Mid-term Modeling System (CRMMS) in Ensemble Mode. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. You will find things in the lake. Tribes, cities and farmers across Arizonahave volunteered about 214,000 acre-feet this year. Information from NOAA-GLERL. Previous tables (starting in January 2012) are also available. Select the date (a new window will open): January 2012 April 2012 August 2012 January 2013 April 2013 August 2013 January 2014 April 2014 August 2014 January 2015 April 2015 August 2015 January 2016 April 2016 August 2016 January 2017 April 2017 August 2017 January 2018 April 2018 August 2018 January 2019 June 2019 August 2019 February 2020 April 2020 August 2020 January 2021 April 2021 June 2021 August 2021 January 2022 February 2022 May 2022. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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. The park is actively evaluating the long-term implications of ongoing historic drought on recreational infrastructure and analyzing the most accurate scientific data available to make the best decisions possible. Rain in the region has lifted its water levels recently. That . As the drought has deepened, Lake Meads water level dropped below 1,050 feet elevation for the first time last week a sign more stringent water cuts are coming for the Southwest. File photos of Lake Mead and heavy rainfall. The megadrought that has gripped large areas of the western states has caused the lake to get drier and drier every year: In July 2022, Lake Mead reached its lowest water level since it was constructed in the 1930s at 1,040.8 feet. Wet years in the 1990s and 2000s did not refill the lakes it simply kept them from going lower. A Tier 3 shortage would impact the amount of . "This groundwater is absolutely crucial to supplying streams in [California's] long, dry summers every year, not just during drought," Rempe said. After three months of rising levels, Lake Mead is then projected to drop for seven consecutive months, when it will be at 1,023.71 feet. Lake Mead is mainly filled by releases from an upstream reservoir called Lake Powell, which captures runoff in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Stock image of Lake Mead in 2021. The sudden rainfall which has swept the region has even changed Nevada's drought status, which usually remains pretty static. 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. As of December 1, the water levels stood at 1,042.97 feet. 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). 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. 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. Managing for both short-term emergencies and long-term sustainability makes this situation particularly difficult.". In July 2022, Lake Mead dropped to the lowest point it has ever been and was only 27 percent of its usual capacity. The recent spate of discoveries began in May when boaters spotted a barrel. 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 27% of its maximum capacity. Reach Allhands at joanna.allhands@arizonarepublic.com. 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. Patti Aaron, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Reclamation, told CNN that this is because of several factors and last winters pitiful precipitation played a large role. Lake Mead, which provides water to roughly 25 million people in Arizona, Nevada, California and Mexico, is losing water at an alarming rate amid an extraordinary, multi-year drought made worse by the climate crisis. Southern Nevada relies on Lake Mead for 90 percent of its water supply. "A few big winter storms aren't going to fix the Colorado River Basin's crisis. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. Do you have a question about Lake Mead? Jennifer Pitt, the Colorado River program director with the National Audubon Society, an environmental organization, previously told Newsweek: "To refill the Colorado River reservoirs, you would need three average years of snowfall without any water use. Do you have a question about Lake Mead? Echo Bay will operate on two lanes of concrete; one lane of pipe mat extension will be installed at 1,060 feet elevation. For additional information or questions, please contact us via email at: ColoradoRiverModeling@usbr.gov. The state saw a particularly wet monsoon season at the end of July and into August, meaning the river filled slightly. 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. 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. 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. 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. This summer a sunken second world war-era boat began to jut out from the water. Launch ramp access on Lake Mohave will remain stable. Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington States Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting. This was the lowest water levels have been since the lake was first constructed in the 1930s. 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. Echo Bay will operate on two lanes of concrete; one lane of pipe mat extension will be installed at 1,060 feet elevation. There tends to be plenty of stuff that goes to the bottom and you just wait around, Green said. The observation data shown below is from each lake's master . Recent rainfall and an increase in the snowpack on the Colorado Rocky mountains has made more water available for reservoirs like Lake Mead and its neighbor Lake Powell. 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. 2023 www.azcentral.com. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Projections of Lake Powell (top) and Lake Mead (bottom) end-of-month physical reservoir elevations. 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. The lake is currently at 1,042 feet, but forecasts show it dropping to 1,016 at the end of. Launch ramps at Temple Bar and Boulder Harbor will remain closed. Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. "Lake Mead's water levels have been . Part of the agreement to leave water in Lake Powell was that when it came time to declare a shortage, that water would be counted as if it were in Lake Mead. The projection for the end of July this year is 1,046 feet. All Rights Reserved. The Lake hadn't reached such a low level since it was constructed in the 1930s. More critically, the bureau predicts the reservoir will be at nearly the same level, around 1,041 feet, come January. Projection for end of April 2022 is 1,057.14 feet. Toggle submenu for First Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, According to BORs March 2022 24-month forecast, water levels at Lake Mead will drop earlier-than-expected. NOAA water level observations are available at specific locations, as described on the Monitoring Network page or as a lake-wide average. To help RVers explore these lands and destinations, the National Parks Traveler editors and writers have sifted through the National Park System and come away with the definitive RVing guide to the parks. The lake is now at 28 percent its usual capacity, while during the . How much variance will that be? Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. Let us know via science@newsweek.com. The March 2022 forecast estimates are . However, as of January 11, Lake Mead was still only at 28 percent of its full pool level. Ideally well get more water and we wont find more., Yosemite crew makes big progress against explosive fire with thousands evacuated, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. But this year did not bring much-needed precipitation to the river basin. Projection for end of July 2022 is 1,046.87 feet. If the forecast indicates Lake Mead's 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. However, the section containing Lake Mead is still within the "severe drought" category. The current water elevation for end of March is 1,063.11 feet. Drought conditions in the Southwest worsened significantly over the past week, the US Drought Monitor reported Thursday. The Las Vegas region cut per-person use by 47% between 2002 and 2020, to about 112 gallons, while its population grew by 52%. While July is typically a dry time of year in the region, 2022 was a particularly low point for Lake Mead. A crashed B-29 plane has been in the water since 1948. The good news is that leaving extra water in Powellcould buy us about a year, or maybe more if were lucky. The region is already in an unprecedented Tier 1 shortage on the Colorado River, which led to mandatory water cuts that mainly impacted agriculture. Meaning that once the buffer on Mead is gone, its gone. The recent rainfall is unlikely to be a long-term solution for the lake. The lake is now at 28 percent its usual capacity, while during the summer it was only at 27 percent. 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. A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. But the Lake's water levels have risen slightly recently, from 1,044 feet at the end of 2022, to 1,045 feet at the beginning of 2023. If water levels keep declining, it could mean bad things for surrounding cities and communities that rely on Lake Mead for water. The water line dropped below of the reservoirs original water intake valves for the first time in April. Dashed and dot dashed lines represent the 10th and 90th percentiles, respectively. 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. Let us know via science@newsweek.com. 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. The lake also covered archaeological digs, said Green, who teaches about the history of Nevada and Las Vegas, meaning there could be historical items in the water. Water levels in Lake Mead reached the lowest they have ever been last July, at 1,040.8 feet. The reservoirwhich stretches across Nevada and Arizona, on the Colorado Riveris relied upon by 25 million people living in the region. However the state is still 24 percent in an extreme drought and 78 percent in a severe drought. Current conditions data typically are recorded at 15-60 minute intervals, stored onsite, and then transmitted to the Nevada Water Science Center Office hourly. 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. Declining lake levels, which have exposed St Thomas several times over the years, have kept the settlement visible for the last 10 years. Officials are focused on the wrong problem, advocates say. Individual La Nina years can be wet or dry for the Colorado River basin, Kuhn said. The vast reservoirs water level has dropped more than 170ft (52m) since 1983, the same year the Colorado River flooded the dams spillways. Officials are focused on the wrong problem, advocates say. This is due to recent heavy rainfall and winter storms that swept across Nevada and the neighboring states. 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.". Projected water levels are provided typically on the 15th of each month by theBOR.Water level status projections from the BORs March 2022 Most Probable Inflow 24-Month Study: The NPS and interagency partners are collaborating to plan for longer term operational conditions as water levels in Lake Mead continue to fluctuate. Now officials seek to slash that use to 86 gallons by 2035, a task the . Managing for both short-term emergencies and long-term sustainability makes this situation particularly difficult.". Scientists are putting it mainly down to human-driven climate change. The lake has a surface area of 247.1 square miles and spans the Nevada-Arizona border, providing 25 million people across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah with water. The lake may eventually reach dead pool, which is at 895 feet, when the water would no longer flow past the dam. 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. 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 lake is predicted to reach an even lower level in the coming months: projections from the Bureau of Reclamation show that Lake Mead could drop as low as 1,024.47 feet by November 2023. Last spring, the Bureau of Reclamation announced an unprecedented strategy to boost water levels in Lake Powell and maintain electricity production from the Glen Canyon Dam, including releasing more water from smaller, upstream reservoirs while withholding water in Lake Powell itself instead of sending it downstream to Lake Mead. To be notified when updated projections are available, please email ColoradoRiverModeling@usbr.gov with Add Me as the subject. If it reaches this point, the lake, which provides electricity to thousands of people, will reach a dire point. California snowpack provides 30% of the states water, according to the Department of Water Resources. 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 . 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.". 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. Previous Bureau of Recreation (BOR) projections anticipated this lake level drop happening in May, but the most recent projections suggest it will occur sooner. 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. The bureaus next consequential report comes in August, at which point it will determine whether more cuts are needed. 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. Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States and part of a system that supplies water to at least 40 million people across seven states and northern Mexico. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. These lake-wide averages are based on a select set of U.S. and Canadian station data as determined by the Coordinating Committee. Solid lines represent historical elevations (black), and median projected elevations for the scenario (yellow). Projection for end of July 2022 is 1,046.87 feet. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much "It has gotten warmer and drier, and the rules haven't changed fast enough to stop the decline. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Lake Mead's water levels have risen slightly with an influx of heavy rainfall, but will that be enough to save the rapidly drying up reservoir? It's formed by the Hoover Dam, which generates electricity for the surrounding communities. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. 4:08 PM EDT, Mon July 18, 2022. Projection for end of October 2022 is 1,047.47 feet. 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. The current water elevation forecast for the end of March is 1,063 feet. Experts predict that in a few years, the lake's water levels could be as low as 895 feet, which would be too low to flow past the dam. 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. During the summer, the lake's water levels hit a new low at 1,040 feetthis was the lowest since its construction in the 1930s. Hemenway Harbor will operate on one lane of concrete; pipe mat extension will be installed at 1,064 feet elevation. By January 18, Lake Mead's water levels have risen to 1,045.76 feet. The monthly, two-year forecast from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has once again been revised down, with lake levels hitting a new potential low of 1,007 feet of elevation in November 2023.. At 1,050 feet, a Tier 2 shortage is declared, further decreasing the amount of water Arizona, Nevada and Mexico can use from the Colorado River. Yes, we had very, very low runoff this year, Aaron said. "[Additionally,] many of the current policies that govern Colorado River allocations, including the DCP [drought contingency plan] 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. Even a few really wet years probably wouldn't refill the reservoirs, given how low they are and how temperatures continue to rise (causing more evapotranspiration)," Koebele said. #ColoradoRiver #drought pic.twitter.com/g2F9lCXbfw. 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. Projected water levels are provided typically on the 15th of each month by the BOR. The May numbers reflect thewater that was intended for Lake Mead but left inLake Powell to help keep it above an elevation of 3,490 feet. 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. Let us know via science@newsweek.com. In July 2022, the lake reached a historic low of 1,040 feet above sea level. The new. Great Lakes Water Level Observations. Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below: The entire southwest is in real trouble. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Sun 31 Jul 2022 05.00 EDT Last modified on Sun 31 . These reservoirs were built to store water in wet years in order to mitigate occasional drought. Firefighters put out hot spots from the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park, California, July 11, 2022. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. This could be down to some incredibly heavy rainfall sweeping the region, which may help offset the effects of the drought. Additionally, if too much rain comes at once, or too much snowpack melts at once due to higher temperatures, it risks running off into the ocean rather than refilling aquifers where we need it. Order your guide, either as an ePub ebook for your Kindle or as a PDF version.