Lake Mead sinks to record lows (Phoenix, Parker: hotel, to buy, taxi)

[cre8lite]

Lake Mead Water Database

what the las vegas people use to monitor the lake levels

[jamies]

Well, the good news for us who live downstream. At least if Boulder dam breaks it won't wash our house away.

Stop growing cotton in the desert!

[tijlover]

I really wonder how many people have panicked and left the Southwest, or deterred people from relocating to the Southwest, as a result of these scares. Have any real estate agents been told: I'm too worried about the water situation, that's why I'm selling? Or: I've changed my mind, I'm going to retire in Texas instead!

As far as growing crops in Kansas, let's not forget the heavily taxed Ogalalla Aquifier that runs from east Texas, north thru the Dakota's. When that becomes depleted, then what?

[JGMotorsport64]

It's not like this isn't a national problem and we shouldn't pretend it isn't.

But as Arizonans who have a long-term stake in the State's livelihood, it can be a bit alarming. While it's true we have water, and it should be highlighted that until recently, we weren't even taking our full allocation, about 4 years ago the Sun Corridor began a project where we took our full allocation and pumped it underground, we have an impressive aquifer underneath this region which should bode well, but long-term ground water isn't a sustainable alternative. Take a drive to Tucson near Alvernon and Speedway or to Eloy where in the past ground water was pumped at an alarming rate. Those areas have seen the ground sink at quite impressive levels.

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by FloppyRunner

I definitely agree that the sky isn't falling for us yet, but I wish people would realize that it's only a matter of time unless we change our habits. Arizona HAS done a better job of preparing than California, but it'll only delay the inevitable if the drought continues, and if I understand correctly most signs point to that there's no end in sight.

Farmers taking cuts first may sounds good to the rest of us, but they're suffering will surely be felt at least to some extent by the rest of us economically...

Seems many people change nothing about their life habits until a.) they are forced too by some method -or- b.) it all becomes too expensive. Just the reality of human behavior based on my own observations throughout life.

Yes, prices of food of course may go up more than average as a result in the long term though perhaps some/a little/most of the potential slack will be picked up by growers in other parts of the world, or within our country for that matter. Based on what I see on labels at the grocery store, a decent amount of food these days is grown outside of our own country. I'm not saying this is ideal but it's reality. As for water use in our desert for growing crops, I know if I were a farmer and my water allocation was cut, the 1st thing I'd do is maximize my fields with growing in demand crops that are low/lower water use.

[MotleyCrew]

Israel has an excellent water management system and we should learn from it here in the US. Israel reuses 80% of its water. That is forward planning.
I agree that AZ has far outpaced CA in its water plan/use. California is a huge waster.

We should all do our part and try and conserve.

[mtnbkr5]

Here's a vision.........

The growing bathtub ring at Lake Mead then........

The huge fountains at the Bellagio.

[007 license to sell]

If you were wondering how Lake Mead water supply is doing you will want to read this recent article in our local paper.
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/mar/11/forecasters-say-lake-mead-water-shortage-could-be/#.VuNBAnOxw-M.email

[jamies]

Stop giving our water to Commiefornia. Of course who wants it anyway, by the time they get it the entire city of Las Vegas has gone to the bathroom in it. (2 Billion gal of treated sewage is returned to Lake Mead a year). Yuck. I won't even swim in the river anymore.

[azdr0710]

the lake level this last January 1 was 1081', so no water-shortage declaration for this year (it had to be at or below 1075' for that designation, according to the article in the first post).....but check out the pattern over the last three years in this chart....future pattern doesn't look good as of now....

Lake Mead Water Level