The low waters of Lake Mead
Boats travel on Lake Mead on July 17, 2014 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada. Last week, North America's largest man-made reservoir dropped below 1,082 feet above sea level, the lowest it's been since the Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s. A 14-year drought in the Southwestern United States and a dwindling supply of water from the Colorado River, in part due to cuts in the reservoir's annual allocation of water from Lake Powell, has left a white "bathtub ring" of mineral deposits left by higher water levels on the rocks around the lake as high as 130 feet. The National Park Service has been forced to close or extend boat launch ramps, and move entire marinas to try to keep up with the receding water levels.
Drought drops Lake Mead
The Arizona Intake Towers at the Hoover Dam are shown on July 17, 2014 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona. Last week, North America's largest man-made reservoir dropped below 1,082 feet above sea level, the lowest it's been since the Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s.
Drought drops Lake Mead
The intake towers at the Hoover Dam in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Above: July 30, 2007.
Below: July 17, 2014
Drought drops Lake Mead
A bridge at the Callville Bay Marina is no longer open to lead visitors over the water in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, July 13, 2014. Boaters instead now access the docks using a low water ramp that was recently installed.
Drought drops Lake Mead
Empty boat slips protrude from the dock at the abandoned Echo Bay Marina in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, July 13, 2014. The marina closed last year after no businesses wanted to operate it, in part due to falling water levelsaccording to the National Park Service.
Drought drops Lake Mead
Tires once used as a breakwater sit in low water at the abandoned Echo Bay Marina on July 13, 2014 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada. The marina closed last year after no businesses wanted to operate it, in part due to falling water levels, according to the National Park Service.
Drought drops Lake Mead
A sign at the Echo Bay launch ramp warns boaters about low water levels in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, July 13, 2014.
Drought drops Lake Mead
Shrubs grow around a boat sitting in mud in an area that used to be underwater near Boulder Beach in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, July 13, 2104.
Drought drops Lake Mead
Above: Boats are moored at the Lake Mead Marina, July 26, 2007.
Below: Where the Lake Mead Marina was once located, July 17, 2014.
Drought drops Lake Mead
A boat sails on Lake Mead on July 17, 2014 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada.
Drought drops Lake Mead
Passengers taking a boat tour pass in front of a mineral-stained rock wall in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, July 14, 2014.
Drought drops Lake Mead
Boaters pass near Little Boulder Island in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, July 14, 2014.
Drought drops Lake Mead
The Desert Princess paddle wheeler docks at a marina on July 14, 2014 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada.
Drought drops Lake Mead
A buoy warning "no boats" stands on dirt at the abandoned Echo Bay Marina in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, July 13, 2014. The marina closed last year after no businesses wanted to operate it, in part due to falling water levels according to the National Park Service.
Drought drops Lake Mead
A band of rocks stained by minerals is shown behind boats moored at a marina in Hemenway Harbor in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, July 17, 2014. The National Park Service has been forced to close or extend boat launch ramps, and move entire marinas to try to keep up with the receding water levels.
Drought drops Lake Mead
Above: Boats are moored at the Lake Mead Marina in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, July 25, 2007.
Below: A pair of rest rooms on pontoon floats rest on dirt in Boulder Harbor where the Lake Mead Marina was once located, July 17, 2014.