Lake Me Water Level Update: Soaking Rain Brings Relief and Recovery

💦Heavy rainfall and atmospheric rivers have significantly increased Lake Me water levels.

❄️Snow pack in the mountains has reached 105% of average, ensuring a healthy water supply for the Colorado River Basin.

🌊Lake Powell's declining water levels indicate the need for replenishment from upstream sources.

💧The Las Vegas Valley Water District emphasizes the importance of upstream events and snow pack in determining Lake Me's content and health.

🏔️The discussion around decommissioning or bypassing dams like Glen Canyon and Hoover continues, with a focus on preparing for both drought and historic flood years.

How have the recent rainfalls affected Lake Me's water levels?

—The increased moisture and atmospheric rivers have caused Lake Me's water levels to rise significantly, with the reservoir currently at 176 ft above sea level and still rising. It has increased by 6 ft in elevation since the last report and nearly 30 ft since last year.

What is the current state of the snow pack in the mountains around Las Vegas?

—At the start of February, the snow water equivalent in the mountains around Las Vegas was only 43% of average. However, as of now, it has reached 105% of average, ensuring a healthy water supply for the Colorado River Basin.

What is the significance of Lake Powell's declining water levels?

—Lake Powell's declining water levels indicate the need for replenishment from upstream sources. The reservoir currently sits at 34% capacity and has been slowly declining since July of last year. It is crucial to maintain safe operational levels in both Lake Powell and Lake Me.

How does the Las Vegas Valley Water District contribute to Lake Me's content and health?

—The Las Vegas Valley Water District states that the Las Vegas wash, where urban runoff and stormwater are channeled back into Lake Me, only contributes to about 2% of the reservoir's total annual content. The majority of Lake Me's content and health is dictated by events upstream, such as snowpack in the Rockies and the management of Lake Powell by the US Bureau of Reclamation.

What is being done to prepare for both drought and historic flood years?

—There is ongoing discussion about decommissioning or bypassing dams like Glen Canyon and Hoover to better prepare for extreme water conditions. Additionally, demand reduction programs, both residential and agricultural, are being implemented to reduce water consumption and conserve resources.

02:02Lake Me's water levels have significantly increased due to heavy rainfall and atmospheric rivers.

02:27The snowpack in the mountains around Las Vegas has reached 105% of average, ensuring a healthy water supply for the Colorado River Basin.

04:17Lake Powell's declining water levels indicate the need for replenishment from upstream sources.

04:48The Las Vegas Valley Water District emphasizes the importance of upstream events and snowpack in determining Lake Me's content and health.

05:23The discussion around decommissioning or bypassing dams like Glen Canyon and Hoover continues, with a focus on preparing for both drought and historic flood years.