Dramatic images of the drop in Lake Mead water level over one year
Lake Mead has become a national symbol for the droughts that have caused serious concerns in the western and southwestern regions of the United States, with a major impact on California. The iconic reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River has dropped to the point of near-empty— as of July 18, the lake is at 27% capacity, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. That’s the lowest since 1937 when the reservoir was being filled.
The severe drop has uncovered relics of the past—like a sunken World War II-Era boat pictured above—and even exposed possible Mafia hits. And recently, to further the national attention, NASA released images that surveyed the severe decrease in water levels over 22 years.
That same type of extreme drop in water levels can also be seen in the imagery taken from the ground over the past year…
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(USA TODAY Network)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Lake Mead water level timeline in images
(Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
