Lake Mead, like the rest of the West, is in drought mode...

[DGUtley]

They'll find some cement shoes?

[jes'fuchinwitcha]

Global Warming

Lake Mead Low Water Levels: Overuse, Not Climate Change

Increased water use is the main cause.

I believe that both over-allocation and climate change contribute significantly to the Colorado water supply issues. Both matter and need attention.

Obviously, the water use side is something that provides opportunities for nearer term solutions. But, as the old adage goes, "Whiskey is for drinkin', water is for fightin'!"

Did you all know that oil wealthy countries in the Middle East are buying up farmland in Arizona, along with water rights, to grow immensely water thirsty alfalfa to ship home to feed to expensive horsies? One result is the lowering of water tables that supply many communities, and an increase of demand on the river.

[DGUtley]

I believe that both over-allocation and climate change contribute significantly to the Colorado water supply issues. Both matter and need attention.

Obviously, the water us side is something that provides opportunities for nearer term solutions. But, as the old adage goes, "Whiskey is for drinkin', water is for fightin'!"

Did you all know that oil wealthy countries in the Middle East are buying up farmland in Arizona, along with water rights, to grow immensely water thirsty alfalfa to ship home to feed to expensive horsies? One result is the lowering of water tables that supply many communities, and an increase of demand on the river.

This says the state leases the property to the Saudis; but, no, I didn't know that. Although there are no records for how much Fondomonte is pumping out of the aquifer, a State Land Department report estimates the company is swallowing as much as 18,000 acre-feet every year – enough water to supply 54,000 single-family homes.

https://azpbs.org/horizon/2022/06/sa...ly-in-phoenix/

[carolina73]

That area of the country is dependent on natural snowfall that varies and has always varied annually.

Claiming climate change is inaccurate and just a knee jerk reaction to everything.

Next year is expected to be wet again and everyone will forget the NV lakes are still only half full.

[Sunsettommy]

I believe that both over-allocation and climate change contribute significantly to the Colorado water supply issues. Both matter and need attention.

Obviously, the water us side is something that provides opportunities for nearer term solutions. But, as the old adage goes, "Whiskey is for drinkin', water is for fightin'!"

Did you all know that oil wealthy countries in the Middle East are buying up farmland in Arizona, along with water rights, to grow immensely water thirsty alfalfa to ship home to feed to expensive horsies? One result is the lowering of water tables that supply many communities, and an increase of demand on the river.

The article shows that precipitation in the region isn't the cause of the decline it is increased water use as clearly shown in the chart.

This is what you didn't read which was in the article:

34 page PDF from the Department of the Interior LINK

Here is the chart that explains it well,

[jes'fuchinwitcha]

The article shows that precipitation in the region isn't the cause of the decline it is increased water use as clearly shown in the chart.

This is what you didn't read which was in the article:

34 page PDF from the Department of the Interior LINK

Here is the chart that explains it well,

That's a report with the last data from 2010. I wonder what caused the dramatic lowering of the reservoir level in the past 12 years? It was full in 2000. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/lakemead_line.pdf

[Sunsettommy]

That's a report with the last data from 2010. I wonder what caused the dramatic lowering of the reservoir level in the past 12 years? It was full in 2000. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/lakemead_line.pdf

Yet more evidence that you didn't read the article I posted, you have already ignored this chart


Which already showed the deficit BEGAN back in about 2003 then this chart you didn't see showing a slow INCREASING trend in snowpack for the region.





LINK

No one here is disputing the decline, but YOU are ignoring the main cause of the decline which is increased water use over recent decades the chart is right there in front of you!



See that steep upslope of the water use information see the projected rate that will easily exceed the inflow of water. This was expected over a decade ago and it is happening as predicted by the Department of the interior.

Why are you ignoring the information?

[jes'fuchinwitcha]

Yet more evidence that you didn't read the article I posted, you have already ignored this chart


Which already showed the deficit BEGAN back in about 2003 then this chart you didn't see showing a slow INCREASING trend in snowpack for the region.





LINK

No one here is disputing the decline, but YOU are ignoring the main cause of the decline which is increased water use over recent decades the chart is right there in front of you!



See that steep upslope of the water use information see the projected rate that will easily exceed the inflow of water. This was expected over a decade ago and it is happening as predicted by the Department of the interior.

Why are you ignoring the information?

Here's a graph that gets us closer to the present. Note the turn that was taken down right after your first graph ended, and then another dramatic drop from 2020-2022. Not really tracking the increase in withdrawals very well. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/lakemead_line.pdf
Let me remind you that I agree the withdrawals are a significant issue - but I don't agree that climate change is not an issue, too.

The first graph I posted shows the linear downward trajectory of discharge over an even longer period of time. https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2004/3062/

[Sunsettommy]

Sigh,

I read your first link the first time you posted it which doesn't contradict anything I posted thus dead on arrival and that I told you no one is disputing the decline earlier a fact no one here disputes.

Here is the chart you completely ignored which is the dominant supplier of water to Lake Mead,



Your second link is an old report dating back to 2014 which was an update of the report dating back to 2002 again you didn't contradict anything I posted.

Again, showing you the regional snowpack that effects the Colorado River flow is showing an INCREASE in snowfall totals,



The dominant cause of declining Lake Mead level (Not disputed) is a large increase in water usage from the Lake (which you ignore over and over) which I showed you from the BLM report a part of the government department of the Interior (Which you ignore over and over) thus you are the one who is being irrational here and in denial on what is going on in the region.

FACT: Lake Powel and Lake Mead are MAN MADE reservoirs that have a limited inflow against an increasing outflow as water demands keeps increasing over time a reality you keep ignoring.

You show a distinct disregard to the baseline data and evidence I posted by ignoring them over and over a sign of irrational thinking.

[jes'fuchinwitcha]

Sigh,

I read your first link the first time you posted it which doesn't contradict anything I posted thus dead on arrival and that I told you no one is disputing the decline earlier a fact no one here disputes.

Here is the chart you completely ignored which is the dominant supplier of water to Lake Mead,



Your second link is an old report dating back to 2014 which was an update of the report dating back to 2002 again you didn't contradict anything I posted.

Again, showing you the regional snowpack that effects the Colorado River flow is showing an INCREASE in snowfall totals,



The dominant cause of declining Lake Mead level (Not disputed) is a large increase in water usage from the Lake (which you ignore over and over) which I showed you from the BLM report a part of the government department of the Interior (Which you ignore over and over) thus you are the one who is being irrational here and in denial on what is going on in the region.

FACT: Lake Powel and Lake Mead are MAN MADE reservoirs that have a limited inflow against an increasing outflow as water demands keeps increasing over time a reality you keep ignoring.

You show a distinct disregard to the baseline data and evidence I posted by ignoring them over and over a sign of irrational thinking.

Yes, dear.