 |
| This 1983 photo is
of Hoover Dam when Lake Mead's water level was 1,211 ft. (Click on
picture for larger image.) |
 |
| This 2003 photo is
of Hoover Dam when the lake's water level had dropped to 1,148 ft.
The lake level continues to drop. (Click on picture for larger image.) |
Droughts are natural
Droughts are a fact of life in virtually every climate,
so it's important to develop plans to reduce the impact of a drought. Defining
a drought can be difficult because it's not a distinct event like a flood,
fire or hurricane. Instead, a combination of complex factors interact with
the environment causing a reduction in a community's water supply.
Communities
can aggravate drought conditions through high water consumption practices
and inefficient water use.
Although no one can predict or control how long a drought
will last, people can reduce their water usage to help stretch the water
supply.
Valley experiencing worst drought on record
Southern Nevada relies on the Colorado
River for nearly 90 percent of its water supply. The river is divided among
seven states and Mexico and usually has an annual flow of 15 million acre
feet or more. Over the past few years, the average flow of the Colorado
River has been about 10 million acre-feet of water per year, the lowest
since record keeping began in 1906.
Lake Mead water levels have dropped nearly 70 feet due
to less-than-average preciptiation in the Rocky Mountains and reduced
flows into the Colorado River. To ensure the Las Vegas Valley has enough
water during this drought period and in the future, the Water Authority
and its member agencies developed a Drought
Plan.
For more information on the drought, check out the Water
Authority's web site: snwa.com
can provide more information about the drought
and water conservation efforts to help alleviate its effects on our community.
|
