Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 10:07:22 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Lake Mead May Vanish by 2021

Posted Feb 13, 08 3:24 AM CST in Science & Health,  US 

(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."

Source LiveScience

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • West's Water Woes May Be Permanent

    Oct 21, 07 3:22 PM CDT
    West's Water Woes May Be Permanent Officials out West are worried about water, the New York Times reports, and not just for the short-term. In what the Times calls the "other water problem" caused by global warming, snowcaps that feed the the Colorado River—which quenches the thirst of 30 million people in seven states—are at  their lowest levels in 20 years. The "most optimistic" climate models suggest that 30% to 70% will be gone the second half of this century. More »

  • Southwest Water Crisis Looms

    Apr 6, 07 8:35 AM CDT
    Southwest Water Crisis Looms Permanent drought could strike the Southwest U.S. by 2050, thanks to global warming, and experts predict water wars, as cities and farmers face shortages. Computer models show that the drying has already begun. Jonathan Overpeck, a climate researcher at the University of Arizona, says the data tell “a story which is pretty darn scary and very strong.” More »

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.   (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.   (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Dying Lake

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

global warming • water • Hoover Dam


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »