Latest news with #USBR
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials raise red flags over alarming outlook on iconic US lake: 'No amount of lawyering is going to fix the … problem'
Officials raise red flags over alarming outlook on iconic US lake: 'No amount of lawyering is going to fix the … problem' Lake Powell is rapidly approaching a crisis point, and officials warned increasingly low water levels could impact the Glen Canyon Dam's ability to generate hydroelectric power, Newsweek reports. What's happening? Located in Utah and Arizona, Lake Powell is America's second-largest reservoir after Lake Mead, and it's a popular attraction for tourists. Water levels for Lake Powell have been a consistent concern in recent decades, due to conditions known as a "megadrought" in the Southwestern United States. Lake Powell is a man-made body of water, created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is a water management agency operating as part of the Department of the Interior. On July 15, the USBR published a 24-month forecast for Lake Powell and Lake Mead's likely water levels. The USBR calculated "Probable Inflow," "Probable Maximum Inflow," and "Probable Minimum Inflow" to gauge projected water levels in three scenarios deemed likely. In the latter scenario,"Probable Minimum Inflow," water levels necessary to continue generating electricity via the Glen Canyon Dam could approach a threshold in November 2026, dipping below minimum levels required for the hydroelectric dam to function by December 2026. Why are Lake Powell's water levels so important? Per Newsweek, the dam provides electricity to "approximately 5 million people in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming." Officials were noticeably concerned about the two-year water level projections in the USBR's July 15 report. Becky Mitchell is Colorado's commissioner for the Upper Colorado River Commission, and she stressed the importance of the "quantification of hydrologic shortage." "No amount of lawyering is going to fix the math problem … we must live with the river we have, not the river we want," Mitchell said. Do you think our power grid needs to be upgraded? Definitely Only in some states Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. KJZZ covered the USBR's dire minimum level projections for the next two years, noting that officials faced a similar problem in previous years. "Water managers made emergency releases from other reservoirs to prop up Lake Powell until spring runoff came to the rescue," the outlet explained, adding that the strategy is not one that is sustainable in the long term. What's being done about Lake Powell's water levels? Newsweek cited a previous, recent study that determined that increasing "wastewater recycling to 40 percent in the Colorado River Basin" could offset water levels enough to supply two million homes with water. As for Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam, officials are working to "finalize a new water management framework" and address the issue. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Map Shows Struggling Water Levels Across Major US Lakes
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. Water levels at some of the United States' largest reservoirs are well below average for this time of year, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). Lake Mead was 31 percent full as of June 29, with just over eight million acre-feet of water in storage, according to the data. This equated to 52 percent of the average storage level for this date between October 1, 1990 and August 30, 2020. This USBR map shows storage levels at major U.S. reservoirs on June 29, 2025. This USBR map shows storage levels at major U.S. reservoirs on June 29, 2025. Bureau of Reclamation Why It Matters Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S. by capacity — capable of storing more than 26 million acre-feet of water, according the USBR. It is followed by Lake Powell, which is capable of storing 24 million acre-feet. Declining water levels in these reservoirs could jeopardize city water systems, farm irrigation, and hydroelectric power output. What To Know The USBR's June 29 data revealed that Lake Powell, situated on the Colorado River in Utah and Arizona, fared only marginally better than Lake Mead, at 32 percent of full capacity. However, this was just 49 percent of the average storage level for this date. In contrast, California's Shasta Lake contained more than 3.8 million acre-feet of water, reaching 84 percent of its total capacity of 4,552,000 acre-feet — about seven percent above its historical average for this time of year. This map shows storage levels at major U.S. reservoirs on June 29, 2020. This map shows storage levels at major U.S. reservoirs on June 29, 2020. Bureau of Reclamation Water levels in Lakes Mead and Powell were notably lower on June 29 this year than in 2020. According to USBR data, Lake Mead was 41 percent full in 2020, at 68 percent of its average storage capacity, while Lake Powell was 53 percent full, 79 percent of its average storage capacity. Meanwhile in 2000, Lake Mead and Lake Powell were 90 percent and 89 percent full respectively. This map shows storage levels at major U.S. reservoirs on June 29, 2000. This map shows storage levels at major U.S. reservoirs on June 29, 2000. Bureau of Reclamation What People Are Saying Sharon Megdal, director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center, told Newsweek: "Lake Mead is one part of the highly managed Colorado River system and Lake Mead's elevation over the past 25 years reflects inflows and outflows over that period of time. "[The last 25 years have] been dominated by lower annual natural river flows than those of the prior century. In addition, deliveries to water users in the Lower Basin, coupled with 1944 Treaty deliveries to Mexico, have exceeded inflows, causing significant decline in the amount of water in storage [in Lake Mead] since 2000." What Happens Next The states that depend on the Colorado River have been in talks to establish new water-sharing agreements by 2026.
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
California's Largest Reservoir Approaches Milestone Not Hit in 13 Years
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. Lake Shasta water levels are on track to reach capacity for the third consecutive year, the first time it's happened since 2012. Why It Matters Lake Shasta, California's largest reservoir, plays a critical role in the state's water management system. Formed by the construction of Shasta Dam in the 1940s, it can hold approximately 4.5 million acre-feet of water when at full capacity, making it an essential source of water for agricultural, industrial and residential use throughout California. Lake Shasta's recovery is crucial because it directly supports millions of Californians and the agricultural economy of the Central Valley, which is often referred to as the "breadbasket" of the United States. It is also a major contributor to environmental flows that support fish and wildlife habitats. What to Know During the most severe years of drought, particularly from 2020 through 2022, Lake Shasta's water levels dropped dramatically, exposing large swaths of the lakebed and causing widespread concern over water supplies across the state. In 2022, the reservoir only reached 40 percent of its entire capacity throughout the whole year. Heavy precipitation in the winter and spring of 2023 dramatically reversed the trend. An unusually wet season helped refill Lake Shasta to full capacity by May 2023. A vehicle drives over a mostly dry section of Shasta Lake in Lakehead, California on October 16, 2022. A vehicle drives over a mostly dry section of Shasta Lake in Lakehead, California on October 16, 2022. Josh Edelson/Getty The 2024 winter season was also above average. Although this past winter was not as impressive as the previous two years, it still provided enough precipitation and snowpack to put Lake Shasta's water levels in a good place. As of April, Lake Shasta is again nearing full capacity. On Monday, a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) spokesperson told Newsweek that Lake Shasta was 5.11 feet from full, which is 97 percent of the lake's capacity. By Tuesday morning, the water levels were at 1,062 feet. Full capacity occurs at 1,067 feet. In 2023 and 2024, the lake reached capacity in early May before warm, dry weather and increased water demand began to drop the lake levels during the summer months. This year, Lake Shasta's levels have been rising steadily since last November. What People Are Saying A USBR spokesperson told Newsweek: "The last time we had three consecutive years of being full were 2010, 2011, 2012." Lake Oroville, the state's second largest reservoir, is also nearing capacity for the third year in a row. What Happens Next State water agencies are continuing to monitor Lake Shasta's levels closely. Officials have cautioned that despite current high water levels, preparation for future drought conditions remains a priority.
