Due to a drought in the southwestern United States, Lake Mead is at its lowest level since it was created in 1937.
Due to a drought in the southwestern United States, Lake Mead is at its lowest level since it was created in 1937.
The manmade reservoir, which serves 3 states and over 40 million annual Vegas visitors, is only at 39 percent capacity.
A level drop of less than 35 feet could cut off its access to one of its water sources. Another could be lost if the lake continues its declining trend and goes down an additional 50 feet.
Officials say they saw this coming due to the dry winters of both 2012 and 2013.
Both federal and state water agencies have declared that should the levels dip below 1 thousand and 75 feet delivery cuts to both Nevada and Arizona would have to be made.
At present, the level is only about 5 feet above that, but analysts don’t believe that emergency measures will need to be put in place until at least 2016.
For now, it’s business as usual in Las Vegas, the largest city directly affected by the level loss.
Water spectacles remain active and hotel pools are being kept open and at capacity.
