United States’ biggest reservior likely to be dry by 2021

A study has found that the largest human-made lake in the U.S. could run out of water within the next 15 years because of climate change and water demand.

The reservoir, located 30 miles south east of Las Vegas, was created when the Hoover Dam was built. It is a key water source for millions of people in the south west of the U.S.

The research was carried out at the Scripps Insitute of Oceanography in the University of California. Researchers at the institute believe that even by the most optimistic of estimates, there is a 50% chance that Lake Mead will be be dry by 2021. There is a 10% chance that the lake will be dry by 2014.

The conclusion of the research says that a 1 million acre-feet of water deficit is currently being created per year by human demand, evaporation, and climate change.

The researchers also said that if Lake Mead and its neighbour Lake Powell were to dry up, then the river system in Colorado would have no back-up system for providing water to the population during a dry season. “When expected changes due to global warming are included as well,” said the research paper, “currently scheduled depletions are simply not sustainable.”

Mr. Barnett, who conducted the research, said: “We were stunned at the magnitude of the problem and how fast it was coming at us.

“Make no mistake - this water problem is not a scientific abstraction, but rather one that will impact each and every one of us that live in the South West.”