The water level in Lake Mead, created by the construction of the Hoover Dam, which supplies about 25 million people, is at a record low due to major droughts. The lake is currently at 36 percent capacity. Under normal circumstances, electricity is produced for eight million people, but the lack of water will slow down the production of electricity. Interruption of deliveries of certain goods is not excluded.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in 41 of the 58 counties.
Lake Mead, which serves Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas, recorded a very low water level of about 300 meters above sea level, which broke the previous record from 2016.
Since 2000, the water level has dropped by at least 40 meters.
The drought that hit Lake Mead affected California, the Pacific Northwest, Nevada, Oregon and Utah, but also southern American states such as Arizona and New Mexico, reports the Metro portal.
The Mead is located on the main course of the Colorado River, along the Arizona-Nevada border, and was created by the formation of the Hoover Dam, which provides electricity for the residents of Arizona, California and Nevada.
Officials say that the water levels have not been so low since the 1930s, when the dam was built, and it is feared that it will be even worse because a very hot and dry summer is announced.
Farmers have problems with crops, Nevada has introduced restrictions so that citizens cannot water gardens and lawns, and the governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, called on his compatriots to pray for rain.
Las Vegas is the first city in the United States to ban “unnecessary green spaces” around streets, office buildings and similar areas in order not to be maintained and to preserve water.
Firefighters are worried that a season full of fires could be ahead of them. 10,000 fires were recorded last season alone.
By the way, the Hoover Dam was built from 1931 to 1936 during the Great Depression, and thousands of workers took part in the construction, while at least a hundred lost their lives.
Source: sputniknews.com