Low Snow May Be A Blow To Lake Mead Water Levels
To say that Southern Nevada depends on Lake Mead water levels to maintain and to rise would be an understatement. The vast majority of the water used by Southern Nevadans – 90% – comes from Lake Mead. So the health of the Colorado River is of utmost importance.
Unfortunately, things aren’t looking too good for the river in 2025.
Below Average Snow In Upper Colorado River May Lead To Low Lake Mead Water Levels
Nearly all of the water in Lake Mead was once snow up the river. So in a good year of snowpack (which we’ve thankfully seen a couple of lately), things are looking a bit rosy. Projections for where the Lake Mead water levels will end up improve.
However when the snow doesn’t fall, the projections go from rosy to red. And right now, things aren’t looking merry or bright.
The latest Basin Status Map from the United States Bureau of Reclamation tells the story. The highest snowpack percentage compared to the historic average is Gunnison with 97%. But the majority are at around 75-80% of where they typically are, with the Lower San Juan percentage at a sobering 32%.
Don’t Panic Just Yet
Thankfully there is still plenty of winter left. A graph depicting where we stand for the 2025 snowpack year shows we are near the middle of the pack when compared to the last 10 years past. The numbers in 2023 got off to an even worse start, but suddenly jolted upwards.
While the federal government is intervening when it comes to the water rights and usage of the Colorado River, Southern Nevada is prepared for lower Lake Mead water levels. The Southern Nevada Water Authority and its water conservation efforts have the region using even less than the thimble’s worth of water (in comparison with Arizona and California) than it is legally allowed. This has allowed the state to bank water for a rainy day (or lack thereof).
