CNN
—
The second-largest artificial reservoir in the US, Lake Powell, has witnessed a decrease of nearly 7% in its storage capacity since the establishment of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, according to a recent report.
Besides the water depletion caused by an extreme prolonged drought, a report from the US Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation revealed that Lake Powell experienced an average yearly decline in storage capacity of around 33,270 acre-feet, equivalent to about 11 billion gallons, from 1963 to 2018.
This volume could fill the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall approximately 1,600 times.
The diminishing capacity of the reservoir is attributed to sediments flowing in from the Colorado and San Juan rivers, as per the report. These sediments settle at the bottom of the reservoir, reducing its overall water holding capacity.
As of Monday, Lake Powell’s capacity was approximately 25% full, according to data provided by the Bureau of Reclamation.
This presents a troubling scenario for a region grappling with water scarcity and severe wildfires stemming from the drought. Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicated last week that these conditions are likely to persist – if not deteriorate – in the months ahead.
Lake Powell serves as a vital reservoir within the Colorado River Basin. Both Lake Powell and the larger Lake Mead have been depleting at a concerning rate. In August, the federal government declared a water shortage on the Colorado River for the first time after Lake Mead’s water level dropped to alarming lows, leading to mandatory water use reductions for states in the Southwest that commenced in January.
Moreover, last week, Lake Powell fell below the critical marker of 3,525 feet above sea level, raising further alarms regarding the water supply and hydropower generation that millions in the West depend on for their electricity.
The implications of the dwindling water supply along the Colorado are profound.
This system provides water for more than 40 million individuals residing in seven Western states and Mexico. Lakes Powell and Mead are essential sources of drinking water and irrigation for countless inhabitants across the region, including rural farms, ranches, and indigenous communities.
“It is critically essential that we have the most accurate scientific data like this report to gain a clear perspective of water availability in Lake Powell as we prepare for the future,” remarked Tanya Trujillo, assistant secretary for water and science with the US Department of the Interior, in a statement. “The Colorado River system encounters numerous challenges, including the repercussions of a 22-year-long drought and the escalating effects of climate change.”
