Extreme drought conditions exist in Southwest U.S.
Lake Mead, the reservoir created by the Hoover Dam, has sunk to its lowest level ever, underscoring the gravity of the extreme drought across the American West. The water from the dam on the Colorado River is critical for some 25 million people, including those in the cities of Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas.
With the reduced water supply and drought conditions, farmers are abandoning crops, Nevada is banning the watering of about one-third of the lawns in their area, and the governor of Utah is asking people to pray for rain. In addition, it is wildfire season in California, Arizona, and other parts of the Southwest. Officials in western states are enacting emergency measures.
If the Bureau of Reclamation declares Lake Mead’s shortage to be extreme—for the first time ever—it would cut water supplies to Arizona, Nevada and Mexico.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for the officials at the Bureau of Reclamation as they assess the drought conditions.
- For water management officials in the southwestern states as they look to deal with water shortages in the coming months.
- For farmers, ranchers, and others whose livelihoods depend on water supplies.
- For rain for the western states.
Sources: Reuters, Arizona Republic
