CNN
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A recent report reveals that Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in the US, has lost approximately 7% of its storage capacity since the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963.
According to a report by the US Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation, in addition to drought conditions, Lake Powell has experienced an average annual decrease in storage capacity of around 33,270 acre-feet, or 11 billion gallons, between 1963 and 2018.
To put this loss into perspective, the amount of water lost could fill the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall approximately 1,600 times.
Sediments carried by the Colorado and San Juan rivers have contributed to the shrinking capacity of the reservoir, as these sediments settle at the bottom and reduce the amount of water the reservoir can hold.
Currently, Lake Powell is approximately 25% full, according to data from the Bureau of Reclamation.
The declining water levels in Lake Powell exacerbate the water shortages and wildfires already plaguing the region due to the ongoing drought. Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict that these conditions will persist or worsen in the coming months.
Lake Powell plays a vital role in the Colorado River Basin. Both Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the US, have experienced alarming depletion. In August, the federal government declared a water shortage on the Colorado River for the first time, as the water level in Lake Mead reached unprecedented lows, triggering mandatory water consumption cuts for Southwest states starting in January.
Last week, the water level in Lake Powell dropped below the critical threshold of 3,525 feet above sea level, raising further concerns about water supply and hydropower generation relied upon by millions in the Western US for electricity.
The diminishing water supply along the Colorado River system holds significant implications.
This water system serves over 40 million people across seven Western states and Mexico, providing crucial drinking water and irrigation for rural farms, ranches, and indigenous communities.
Tanya Trujillo, assistant secretary for water and science with the US Department of Interior, emphasized the importance of scientific information, such as this report, for effectively planning the future water availability in Lake Powell. She acknowledged the multiple challenges faced by the Colorado River system, including the long-lasting drought and the escalating impacts of climate change.
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