Great News! Lake Mead Water Level Rising And Rising And Rising

In view of the heavy snow that fell in the upper Colorado River Basin over the winter, the Lake Mead water level continues to rise. That is great news for all of us here in Southern Nevada.

At this point, the Lake Mead water level has risen approximately three feet since the beginning of July. That’s a praiseworthy update! In fact, the Bureau of Reclamation is making sure they fill the reservoirs at both Lake Powell and Lake Mead. However, they’re filling Lake Mead faster. The Lake Powell refill is leveling off. That’s according to an article by Greg Haas on 8NewsNow.com.

At first, experts and officials predicted that the Lake Mead water level would rise to about 26% of capacity. However, Lake Mead is already 32% full as of 6 a.m. Thursday, July 20^th. And, at this time, the water level continues to rise. With this in mind, experts are now predicting a gain of another six feet by September.

Equally important to filling up Lake Powell’s and Lake Mead’s reservoirs with the ample snow melt this year is our valley’s conservation efforts. Per Haas’ report, our residents and businesses are using about 26% less water than we used in 2002. Basically, that’s because homes, businesses, and government sites are curtailing the use of grass lawns.

Furthermore, the Nevada legislature has given the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) the power to assess “excessive use” fines. That program began at the beginning of this year. Additionally, in 2027, a law goes into effect which will prohibit the watering of “nonfunctional” grass. Obviously, government officials are counting on these measures to effectively curtail water use even more.

With all this good news, it is still important to remember that Lake Mead’s water level will still be lower than it was just two years ago. As an illustration, the water level was at 1067.8 feet on August 11, 2021. That is when a federal water shortage was declared. By comparison, if the Lake Mead water level rises a predicted total of nine feet by September, it will measure 1065.59 feet.

Summer is here, and with it comes the opportunity to enjoy America's beautiful lakes. One of my favorite summer activities is going to a pristine lake. Whether I just hang out on the beach or take a ride in a pontoon, it's always a summer highlight. So, what are some fun things to do at the lake this summer?

Before we get to that, did you know that there's actually a Lakes Appreciation Month? It's true. The North American Lakes Management Society (NALMS) has named July the official Lakes Appreciation Month. The designation is to "focus attention on the value of lakes and reservoirs to society and the threats they face." NALMS also states that their mission is to "forge partnerships among citizens, scientists, and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs...for today and tomorrow."

One fun fact about lakes is that the lowest lake in the world is the Dead Sea, on the edge of Israel and Jordan. The surface level is 418 m below sea level. That's incredible. Also, the Great Lakes, which are shared between the U.S. and Canada, contain roughly 21% of the world's freshwater supply.

So, what are some engaging activities that you can do on the lake this year? Read on for a list of 10 fun things to do on the lake this summer.

I grew up a swimmer, but some lakes are just too cold for my taste. That said, many people love a refreshing dip into crisp, cold water at their local lake. Just check temperatures before you jump in, because if it's too early in the season, those temperatures could be dangerously cold.

Water often attracts special wildlife that you won't find anywhere else. That makes camping near a lake a very special experience and different from the typical campground. When you're camping, make sure you check out the nature that blossoms around the lakes and wetlands, too.

When I was a little kid, I wanted to go fishing. My dad was not a fisherman by any means and was pretty clueless about it. So, he had a friend of his take us fishing, and it was so fun, even though I didn't catch anything. That said, fishing is a great summer activity on the lake.

If you're looking for an activity to help keep you in shape, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing are all great exercise. All of those activities are harder than they look, too, so they can be challenging. But, in the end, you'll have a good time and get in a real workout. Many lakes have places were you can rent a paddleboat, kayak or canoe, too.

One of my cousins absolutely loves jet skiing. It's always fun to hear him talk about the experience. I'm not much of a water sports enthusiast, but I can appreciate those who do partake. You don't even have to have your own boat or jet skis, as they are often available for rent nearby.

It's always a charming activity to have a picnic by the lake. Invite some friends or family over and bring some delicious food to enjoy while looking at the water. Oh, and make sure to have ice cream. That's a must.

Hiking near a lake can be extra lovely, as the water can offer glorious scenery to really make your hike memorable. As aforementioned, lakes often attract nature that you don't find anywhere else, so hiking around the water can be a unique experience.

Parties by the lake are always fun. So, get out a grill and invite a bunch of friends down to the beach to enjoy a day or night of partying by the water. But, don't get wasted, because drinking and swimming can be a deadly combination.

Here's my top choice, even though you'll likely find me doing it in the shade: sunbathing. If the water is too cold of you're just not up to more challenging activities, you can get some sun and lay on the beach. But, remember the sunscreen.

Lakeside games are definitely a thing, and there are many quirky games that you can play by the lake. A few enjoyable lake games include water balloon fights, bean bag tosses, horseshoes and more. Pick a game and dig in.

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.

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