Lasting Drought Forces Reservoirs into Record Lows

 

According to the United States Geological Survey, some of America’s largest reservoirs – Lake Powell, Lake Mead, and Utah’s Great Salt Lake – have reached record lows, with more decline expected in the coming months.

Lake Powell’s water level has plummeted to the lowest level since the United States Government began filling the reservoir in the 1960s. The Western drought is responsible for creating severe conditions. Lake Powell stretches from Utah to Arizona and is currently experiencing a “megadrought.”  

A 24-month study was recently released by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation, which showed that the amount of water flowing into Lake Powell had plummeted considerably in the previous six months. With water restrictions already in place, they could become more strict as the Bureau of Reclamation outlined a 79 percent chance that the lake will fall below 3,525 feet next year.

Wayne Pullan, the Upper Colorado Basin regional director for the Bureau of Reclamation, said, “This is a serious situation.”

Lake Mead is also suffering from historically low levels of water. Both Lake Mead and Lake Powell are connected through a river system that delivers water to over 40 million people. The two reservoirs are among the largest in the United States.

A dam on Lake Mead provides hydropower for many Western states; electric production from the Hoover Dam has plunged by roughly 25 percent as a direct result of the drought.

Utah’s Great Salt Lake has reached a new low due to higher temperatures and a lack of rainfall.

Ineffective water management combined with the effects of climate change has led to the droughts, which could potentially worsen soon. 

Reynolds Water Conditioning was established in 1931 and is Michigan’s oldest water conditioning treatment company. Still owned and operated by the Reynolds family, we take pride in providing the highest quality products at a cost-effective price. If your tap water lacks the quality you deserve, contact us today at www.reynoldswater.com or call 800-572-9575.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Michigan Announces $267 Million in Grants to Enhance Water Infrastructure

  Michigan's EGLE has announced a significant investment of $267 million through the MI Clean Water grants to revamp the state’s water infrastructure. This funding aims to bolster dozens of local governments and water systems, enhancing public health and environmental protection. Key projects include new storm sewers and green infrastructure in Oakland County, lead water service line replacements in Marquette, and water main upgrades in South Haven. Governor Gretchen Whitmer emphasized the commitment to ensuring every resident has access to clean, safe water and highlighted the extensive measures taken to replace lead pipes and enhance sewer systems to mitigate flooding. This latest grant initiative extends across Michigan, impacting communities from the rural Upper Peninsula to urban centers in the lower state. The MI Clean Water Plan is set to address both legacy and emerging water system challenges, such as aging infrastructure and contaminants like PFAS. Supported by fu...
Read more

Benefits of a Having a Water Softener System Installed in your Home

Water is said to be hard when the high quantity of minerals such as dissolved calcium and magnesium are present. Having a water softener system installed in your home can prove to be beneficial in more than one way. A water softener is especially useful in areas where all people have access to is hard water.  Before shedding light on the benefits of having a water softener system installed in your home, let’s first look at some of the negative consequences that come with having hard water. Disadvantages of Hard Water Increases the amount of stains found from iron on clothing, landscape, sinks, and such Decreases the lifespan and durability of appliances including dishwashers, coffee makers, and more Shampoo and soap is less efficient in hard water as well as causing mineral build up in your hair Hard water leaves spots on clean glasses and dishes Increases stains and rings found on fixtures In certain locations chemicals are added to the water to soften it by local auth...
Read more

Protect Yourself from PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

  Per- and polyfluoroalkyl fluorinated substances called PFAS are dubbed “Forever Chemicals” due to the chemical bonds that hold the compounds together (about 5,000 substances) which never break down in the environment. PFAS can be found everywhere; they are in hundreds of products such as food-delivery containers and papers, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, carpets, and furniture, fireproof items, clothes, cosmetics, personal care products, and so much more. Tiny doses of PFAS are linked to cancer, reproductive and immune system damage, weight gain, and a plethora of other diseases. It is estimated that PFAS are found in the blood of 99.9 percent of all human beings on Earth, including newborn babies. For many reasons (including factory and facility discharge), PFAS have been found in drinking water throughout the United States. Over 1,400 communities in 49 states have detected PFAS in their drinking water according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This eq...
Read more