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Lake Mead May Vanish by 2021

Hoover Dam's vital source of water and power under threat

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 13, 2008 3:24 AM CST
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(Newser) – Lake Mead, the giant man-made lake behind the Hoover Dam and a major source of water for millions of people, is rapidly drying up, reports Live Science. A new study predicts a  50% chance the lake will be too low to produce hydroelectric power by 2017, and a 50% chance that it will vanish by 2021.

Global warming and increasing demand are being blamed. "We were stunned at the magnitude of the problem and how fast it was coming at us," said an author of the study. "Make no mistake, this water problem is not a scientific abstraction, but will impact each and every one of us who live in the Southwest."

Lake Mead, the giant man-made lake behind the Hoover Dam and a major source of water for millions of people could be dry by 2021.
Lake Mead, the giant man-made lake behind the Hoover Dam and a major source of water for millions of people could be dry by 2021.   (Laura Rauch/AP)
The white ring shows the drop in water levels in Lake Mead in the last five years. Scientists fear the lake may be dry by 2021.
The white ring shows the drop in water levels in Lake Mead in the last five years. Scientists fear the lake may be dry by 2021.   (Getty Images)
Lake Mead in 2006. A new study shows the giant man made lake which serves 22 million Americans with water and hydroelectric power, could be dry by 2021.
Lake Mead in 2006. A new study shows the giant man made lake which serves 22 million Americans with water and hydroelectric power, could be dry by 2021.   (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Dying Lake

Lake Mead could be close to disappearing
New York Times

50-50 chance of dry Lake Mead by 2021
MSNBC

US • Green

 
global warming • water • Hoover Dam • Lake Mead • evaporation • increased demand • hydroelectric power • Federal Bureau of Reclamation

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