The multi-year drought may be easing thanks to recent storms, but scientists suggest that Lake Mead and Lake Powell, reservoirs on the Colorado River, may not refill “in our lifestimes,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Continuing drought conditions in the U.S. southwestern region forced federal officials to announce drastic and unprecedented cuts to the water supplies to two states and Mexico. Lakes and reservoirs along the Colorado River are at historic low levels.
Human remains were found again at Lake Mead, marking the third such discovery since May as water levels within the reservoir continue to recede.
Lake Mead, the Colorado River dam near Las Vegas that is the nation’s largest reservoir, could become a “dead pool” if its level falls another 150 feet, placing its surface above the intakes for the Hoover Dam’s power generators.
National Park Service (NPS) officials and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said a person’s remains were found at Lake Mead recently and the investigation was in the early stages.
California, Arizona, and Nevada have reached an agreement to take less water from the Colorado River in an effort to save Lake Mead near Las Vegas, which declared a water shortage for the first time in its history earlier this year.
Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday will plead for the broad embrace of the Biden administration’s “Build Back Better” legislative agenda as she visits Lake Mead in Nevada. Her public appeal will be the latest attempt to highlight Democrat infrastructure and climate change proposals currently stalled in Congress.
