Colorado River Water System

[thataway]

There is an article in Soundings entitled: "Drought takes its toll on Colorado River". The major point of the article is that Lake Mead is nearing critical stages, and may come close to water rationing next year for its water users (such as Las Vegas). The article states that because of the diminished water flow of the Colorado, that the amount released from Lake Powell to Mead will be restricted. The current level of Mead is 1,106 feet above sea level, but it is expected to drop 20 feet in 2014. This will place it at close to 1,080 feet--and at 1,075 rationing begins. At 1,050 Las Vegas's first water intake goes dry.

Lake Powell is currently at 3583, and has been falling--as is normal thru the winter months. However, it appears that with a general drouth in the area (although currently snow pack is close to normal for this time of the year), that Powell may be even lower this next year, than it has been for some time.

In the article the statement was made "Reclamation officials say there is a 50-50 chance that by 2015, Lake Mead’s water will be rationed to states downstream. That, too, has never happened before." If this happens, then there 3.3 million acre feet that goes to S. Calif. and the 2.8 million feet which go to Az may be in Jeopardy. We may be coming upon some interesting times. However boating on Lake Powell will still remain viable.

 

[ghone]

Good info Bob. We launched last year at about 3596 at Powell and could get on and off. It wasn't super easy though The "cut" out of Waweap was closed ie Rock. and I was wondering how much lower the lake could go before the ramp at Waweap was unusable. I was remembering our time at the Glorietta Bay marina in San Diego when yacht crews would come down and wash already clean 100 footers once or twice a week wasting an awful lot of water. There is much water lost thru non essentials. Kerri On gets a sea water bath when she needs it. Maybe a fresh rinse when out on the trailer once in a while. Hope we get lots of snow up in the mountains
George

 

[jkidd]

April 8th 2005 the lake was at 3555.10 it's lowest level since the lake was filled. Here's a link to the water data it has some of the ramp minimums.
http://lakepowell.water-data.com

This link is pictures of the launch ramps with there minimum levels.
http://www.wayneswords.com/index.php?op ... &Itemid=12

I hope we don't get there. I don't think anyone at the lake has figured out how to launch with a tractor.