What was the highest water level in Lake Mead?

1,225 feet
That year, the lake had reached its highest recorded water level at 1,225 feet. While the maximum lake storage capacity is technically at an elevation of 1,221.4 feet, according to the National Park Service, that elevation reaches the top of the spillway crest at Hoover Dam. The high water line mark is at 1,229 feet.

Why is the water level at Lake Mead so low?

There are several reasons behind the lower water level of Lake Mead. The first being a lack of rainfall. The western U.S. continues to suffer through an extreme drought that could continue through the summer.

Where does the water from Lake Mead go?

There’s a series of reservoirs and lakes now from the Colorado River in the mountains down to Lake Mead, to California, to Arizona, to the state of Mexico, to Nevada as well. And that’s how we get our water,” Kaleem said.

Is Lake Mead safe to swim?

There are many places to swim in the bright blue waters of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Please be aware that there are no lifeguards in the park. Always wear a life jacket. Most fatalities at Lake Mead National Recreation Area could have been avoided if the person in the water was wearing a life jacket.

Are the skeletons in Lake Mead real?

Note, the skeletons in the photo below are not real. In late April, the surface level of Lake Mead – which was created by the iconic Hoover Dam – dropped below 1,080 feet, according to the US Bureau of Reclamation. The surface level when the reservoir is at maximum capacity is 1,221 feet.

What river drains into Lake Mead?

Ninety-six percent of the water flowing into Lake Mead comes from snowmelt that drains into the Colorado River. Early spring melt sends water surging through the river and into Lake Powell . Water released from Lake Powell then flows through the Grand Canyon and into Lake Mead.

Will Lake Mead completely dry up?

Lake Mead Could Be Dry by 2021. There is a 50 percent chance Lake Mead, a key source of water for millions of people in the southwestern United States, will be dry by 2021 if climate changes as expected and future water usage is not curtailed, according to a pair of researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography , UC San Diego.

How did Lake Mead get its name?

The lake was named after Elwood Mead, who was the commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1924 to 1936, during the planning and construction of the Boulder Canyon Project that created the dam and lake.

Why is Lake Mead water so blue?

In fact, the magnificent view may have you questioning exactly why Lake Mead’s waters are SO blue. It’s actually because the lake’s water is so clear , which paired with sunny skies and dissolved minerals makes for perfectly blue water.