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.

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%.

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).

Your eyes do not deceive you! Today the valley got a surprise as the Las Vegas valley, from Red Rock Canyon to Henderson, got a nice dusting of snow that stuck in some areas!

Henderson, which is in a low-lying area, is less prone to snowfall in the winter time. However, today was an exception. Many areas around the city received a solid dusting that stuck to plants, lawns and even roads.

Usually, if any snow reaches the ground whatsoever, it will melt by early morning. But according to Fox 5 meteorologist Ted Pretty, elevations of 2500 feet and above seemed to get the white stuff. The lower the elevation, the higher the temperature, and the more likely the snow would turn into rain.

This isn't the first time this has happened. Only two years ago this month, snow fell around the west side of the Las Vegas valley that accumulated a couple inches in spots.

But to see the snow accumulate in Henderson? That's less common.

Every winter seems to sport a scant trace of snow, but a couple snow events really stick in the memory of locals. Back in December 2008, 3.6 inches were measured at the then-McCarran International Airport. The snow stuck and snarled roads, with kids relishing the rare sight and playing in the white stuff. While the airport only received 3.6 inches, parts of the valley were much higher, upwards of 10 inches!

But it was a storm that occurred almost 44 years ago to the day. On January 31st, 1979, the largest recorded snowfall at McCarran International Airport took place. A whopping 7.4 inches had the roads looking like a disaster movie, kids out of school, and a sight to behold in the valley.

Today? Today was just plain pretty. Take in some of the beautiful sights of the snow at Red Rock Canyon and bask in the beauty.

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