Southern Nevada Water Authority
Low levels at Lake Mead leave a water intake exposed. Despite the lake’s falling level, water officials say they don’t expect Lake Mead to reach dead pool levels anytime soon.
Monday, June 6, 2022 | 2 a.m.
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The May 26 article “Understanding ‘dead pool’ and how water officials are working to stave it off at Lake Mead” was clear that if the ‘dead pool’ elevation is reached, no water will flow in the Colorado River below at Hoover Dam.
While it explained some of the measures being taken, it did not mention any reductions in the amount of water the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) in California, the largest user of Colorado River water, is using.
The USBR Water Use Summary, as of May 19, shows that the IID is using more water than allotted. Its allotment is nearly nine times the amount Nevada is authorized (2.6 million acre-feet vs 0.3 million acre-feet). Why isn’t IID’s water consumption being reduced to increase the level of water in Lake Mead?
