Lake Mead Water Levels Approaching Lower Intake; Powell Already Below 40% Capacity
The storage in Lake Powell is going down, after 2012-13, two of the driest years on record, said John McClow, a Gunnison attorney who represents the state on compact matters. McClow gave an overview of the Colorado River Compact to the Arkansas Basin Roundtable Thursday, saying that good snowpack could provide much-needed moisture to stop the decline of Lake Powell levels at least for a year.
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In 2007, all seven states agreed to a plan to share shortages. It requires balancing Lake Powell and Lake Mead. However, the two lakes combined storage is at its lowest point since 1968.
The water level in Lake Mead is approaching the point where it will drop below its second intake, which could trigger releases from Lake Powell.
Las Vegas is spending $800 million to tunnel under Lake Mead to build its third intake, but that wont be completed until at least 2015.
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http://www.chieftain.com/news/2288085-120/lake-powell-colorado-basin