As the federal government on Monday announced the first-ever water shortage for the western states, water levels at Lake Mead, the largest reservoir on the Colorado River, has fallen to record lows. The declaration means that there will be cuts of water delivery to Arizona farmers next year.

Due to previous droughts in the west, states, cities, farms, and others have diversified their water sources. The action has helped soften the blow of the upcoming cuts. Federal officials said that the declaration shows that the water shortage crisis has developed faster than scientists had forecasted in 2019. At that time, some states in the Colorado River basin agreed to give up shares of water to maintain levels at Lake Mead. The Colorado supplies about 40 million people in the west with water.

Lake Mead was created during the construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s. It is one of a number of man-made reservoirs that store water from the Colorado River, which provides water for households, irrigation for farms, and hydropower that provides electricity to Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and even sections of Mexico.

Water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the second largest reservoir on the Colorado, have been falling for years. Sizzling temperatures and less melting snow during the spring has reduced the amount of water that flows from the Rocky Mountains, where the river originates. From there it meanders 1,450 miles through the southwest and empties into the Gulf of California.

How Water Sharing Works

Agreements among the seven states that share the Colorado River basin, the U.S. government, Mexico, and others divide up the water and regulate how much water they get. Under the plan, Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico agreed to give up some of their share of the water to preserve the water level of Lake Mead.

Cuts in water to the effected states for 2022 were initiated when water levels fell below 1,075 feet above sea level or 40 percent of capacity. Hydrologists, who are scientists concerned with earth’s water supply including its movement, guessed that in January 2022, the water level in Lake Mead will drop to 1,066 feet. More cuts in water supply are determined when water levels reach 1,050, 1,045, and 1,025 feet.

Lake Powell’s water levels are also falling. Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming get their water from tributaries and other reservoirs that feed into Lake Powell.

Power Generation Threatened

The reduction of water at Lake Mead, Lake Powell, and other reservoirs in the area is threatening to reduce the amount of power generated at Hoover Dam and the Clean Canyon Dam. Every foot of water level lost at Lake Mead is equivalent to about six megawatts less power generated in one year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates and maintain the hydroelectric power plants. Six megawatts equates to power consumed by 800 homes.

If the water level at Lake Mead falls 118 feet from July’s level to 950 feet, it would fall below the turbines and Hoover Dam will be shuttered.

In 2000, the water level was 1,200 feet at Lake Mead. That is one of the highest levels on record. At this level, Hoover Dam can generate enough power for 450,000 homes. At Lake Mead’s current levels, the dam will power 100,000 fewer homes, down to 350,000.

The drought not only threatens the supply of water to major cities in the west, it will also affect the amount of homes that will be powered. As the drought worsens, expect a power decline that could affect hundreds of thousands of homes in the west.

Severe storms and hurricanes, drought that could cause homes to fall off the power grid, makes the need for standby generators essential. Assure that your home is always powered up whatever the conditions. APElectric offers generators from some of the most popular brands in the United States. Visit the company’s website to review the generators they offer including Cummins, Westinghouse, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Generac, Firman, and Guardian. The website also includes a generator sizing calculator and offers information on how to select the proper generator for your situation.