Look: Lake Mead water level hits record low

Aug. 7 (UPI) — The water level in the United States’ largest reservoir, Lake Mead, has reached a record low as the western region of the country faces intense drought conditions.

The lake’s level fell to 1,040.5 feet Friday. It has continued to drop every day this month, the Bureau of Reclamation reports.

It is the lowest level since tracking began in 1930. The previous record low was 1,040.58 feet on July 28, 2022.

The reservoir on the Colorado River is the largest in the United States based on its capacity. It provides water to about 20 million people in Arizona, California, Nevada and into Mexico.

Lake Mead’s water supply is also crucial to the agriculture industry in the southwest. It is used in irrigation across 5 million acres.

The Lake Mead reservoir was formed by the Hoover Dam. It is ls situated in Nevada and Arizona.

The water elevation in the United States’ second largest reservoir, Lake Powell, is also approaching a record low. On Thursday, its water elevation was recorded at 3,521.43 feet.

The drought conditions in the west have been exacerbated by significantly higher temperatures this summer, following a light snow pack over the winter.

Last week the Trump administration issued a management plan for the Colorado River, calling for cuts to water supplies to California, Arizona and Nevada. The government said it will reblockess the situation in two years.