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LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A new federal study released Monday is projecting an almost 30-foot drop in Lake Mead water levels over the next two years.
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According to the Bureau of Reclamation’s 24-Month Study on the Colorado River, Lake Mead’s water levels could drop to around 1,015 feet above sea level by July 2027. The study further estimates that levels may dip even lower to 1,011 by May 2028.
The current record for all-time low levels is still 1,040 feet, which was set in July 2022. That year, long-sunken boats and once-submerged rocks became visible.
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Declining water levels continue to threaten power generation at the Hoover Dam, as anything below 1,035 feet will reduce the amount of power that can be generated.
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In April, the Department of Interior announced an emergency plan for drought management that would cut releases from Lake Powell to the minimum amount legally allowed to protect Glen Canyon Dam’s ability to produce power. This, however, would impact the Hoover Dam’s generating capacity and reduce its production by 40%.
Currently, Lake Mead’s level sits around 1,046 feet above sea level, and the Hoover Dam generates around 1,302 megawatts of power through current drought conditions.
Earlier this month, Nevada agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with California and Arizona to jointly develop a framework for interstate water exchanges that would hopefully offset declining water levels across the lower basin of the Colorado River. However, water authorities maintain that development is ongoing and there is no timeline for implementation yet.
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