Lake Mead Water Rising More Than Expected

Not many locals saw this coming, but water at Lake Mead is starting to rise again. It's not because of the recent rainfall we've had, though. The water is coming from Lake Powell, courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Since the beginning of the month, the bureau has been sending water our way, 8newsnow reported.

This isn't the first time this has happened. We've gotten help like this at least six over the last ten years. This release of water was scheduled previously, but the amount is the surprising part. What we're currently getting is double what was planned.

The water comes from Lake Powell via the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. And flows down the Colorado River to Lake Mead.

How long the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will send Nevada this relief water is uncertain at this point. The Glen Canyon Dam area is being more generous with their water because of excess snowpack they got this year. They saw approximately 160% of their normal amount, according to the bureau. So that generosity could run out at any time.

Before the water started flowing from Lake Powell, Lake Mead's levels had dropped almost two feet just since March 30 (8newsnow.com). So Nevada is still cracking down on water restrictions to conserve water in Nevada's reservoir.

There are still set watering days for different areas of the Las Vegas valley. Sizes of new pool construction are still being limited. And Nevada authorities are getting stiffer with fines for violators of the water conservation policies.

This extra help isn’t meant to replace these new restrictions. It’s merely an effort to assist in the rate at which the levels are dropping

Both Lake Mead and Lake Powell are huge reservoirs that would take a very long time to fill back to capacity. So if it happens for either, it won’t be anytime soon.

- Wendy Rush

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Unless you have been living under a rock, you must be aware of the drought conditions throughout the Southwestern United States. With that in mind, we are always looking for ways to conserve water. Did you know there are some very easy ways to save water, and save money on your water bill each month?

The Southern Nevada Water Authority does an excellent job of letting us know how often to water lawns, plants and trees. But, if you do not own a home surrounded by grass, plants and trees, you are most likely still concerned about the drought and your monthly charges for water use.

I did not know there was an agency in our state called the Nevada Special Utility District. But, after Googling ways to conserve water, their website popped up, so I clicked on the link. It took me to a page filled with great advice on how to conserve water in your kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, and with your plumbing and appliances. They have a rather large section regarding outdoor water use as well. You can see all of this helpful information by CLICKING HERE.

For the purposes of this article, we are just going to concern ourselves with finding easy and inexpensive ways to save water every day and every month in our bathrooms. These rooms are all about water. That's where you find your shower, bathtub and toilet. All of these fixtures use a great deal of water throughout the year, and making sure every one of them is functioning at maximum efficiency will not only conserve water, it will save you big bucks on your next water bill.

Scroll down to see these six easy ways to conserve water in your home's bathrooms.

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Larry Martino is the long-time Afternoon Drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

In fact, you should check under all of your sinks for leaks as well. Leaks can waste a great deal of water. As far as your toilet goes, look inside the bowl too. If you see a trickle of water running down the back of the bowl, you may need to replace the flapper because water is leaking from the tank and into the bowl. It won't ruin your flooring, but it does mean the tank has to keep filling itself for no reason even when it isn't being used.

Your bodily waste and toilet paper are the only items you should be flushing down the toilet. I think this piece of advice is geared more to the fact that if you throw a Kleenex or cigarette butt into the toilet and then flush, it is a waste of water because both of those items could have been disposed of properly in a waste basket without having to flush your toilet. Flush a piece or two of trash down your toilet a couple of times in a day or week, and watch your water bill increase when it didn't have to.

This suggestion helps save water by reducing the amount of water necessary to fill up the toilet tank, a pint at a time. The water saved will add up in the long run. Don't worry, you'll still have enough water in your tank for a sanitary flush.

If this one action becomes a habit for you and your family, you can save up to 150 gallons of water each month according to the Nevada Special Utility District. If you turn off the water while brushing your teeth, you can save up to another 25 gallons of water per month. Save even more by turning off the faucet while washing your hands. Just run the water to soap up your hands, and then to rinse them off after scrubbing.

These low-flow shower heads are designed to increase the water pressure, but they use far less water. It is a rather inexpensive way to save lots of money on your water bill and conserve a great deal of water each month.

Reducing your shower time by just one or two minutes each time and you can save up to 150 gallons of water per month according to the Nevada Special Utility District. If you do not have a shower in your home, or if you prefer baths, then lower the water level my one or two inches each time in order to conserve water.