Lake Mead Reaches Historic Low, Raising Concerns Over Water Supply
Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, has reached a new historic low, falling to 1,040.5 feet above sea level. This marks the lowest level since the reservoir was first filled in the 1930s. The reservoir, located behind the Hoover Dam on the Arizona-Nevada border, is a critical water source for the Southwest, supplying drinking water to over 20 million people. The decline in water levels is attributed to below-average snowmelt runoff from the Rocky Mountains and a decision to retain more water in Lake Powell to protect its levels during a dry year. This has resulted in less water flowing into Lake Mead, exacerbating its decline. 
