America's Colorado River on the verge of drying up: The water level reached a 60-year low, the same situation for the second-largest Powell Lake

Posted on 22nd Apr 2022 by rohit kumar

Due to drought in America, the Colorado River has come under threat. In the past 22 years, the water level of the Colorado River has decreased by 20%. Because of this, the second-largest Powell Lake has also reached the verge of drying up. For the first time in 60 years, such a situation has arisen due to continuous drought.

 

In the last 9 months, the lake has left its shore behind. It is the second-largest man-made lake in America. The main water storage of the Colorado River is in this lake. Every year about 20 lakh tourists used to come to this lake to celebrate holidays. Due to the depleting water level, there has been an irrigation crisis on 22 lakh hectares of agricultural land. At the same time, power generation of 4200 MW has also been affected.

 

Water crisis on 4 crore people

 

This lake, which falls between the states of Utah and Arizona, was formed after flooding in the Glen Canyon Dam. Its ever-decreasing water level has had a direct impact on 4 crore people, who depend on its water for their needs.

 

Let us tell you that the construction of Lake Powell started in 1963. After that, it started filling up. It took 17 years to fill it. The lowest water level was last observed in 2004. Even then the lake had 36% water of its storage capacity. This time even 25% of water is not left.

 

Water shortage in Colorado affects the power project

 

Due to the reduced flow of water in the Colorado River, the water in its dam Glen Canyon has come to a lower level. The water level in the dam has been decreasing for consecutive years since 2019. This has affected the production of the power project. Only 30% of the water is left in Lake Mead, the country's largest, attached to Colorado. The foothills of the Colorado River valley area are visible as the water level recedes.

 

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