Lake Mead Drought UPDATE November 2022 Water Level Hoover Dam Colorado River Lake Powell Glen Canyon

[@stevekovacs4093]

I don't understand why many think that you can conserve your way out of a drought. You may extend resources, but unless the drought ends, failure is inevitable.. In California, water usage by consumers is down about 40 percent over the last decade. Low flow showers, toilets, faucets and thousands of dead lawns and landscapes are it's testimony. Just how much more conservation would do the trick? Seems to me we have way too many relying on an unstable source. Throw in farmers using vast amounts of water to grow export crops and it will never get better. But yet they want to build hundreds of thousands of new dwellings to alleviate a phantom housing crisis. We beholden to fool's in charge.

[@johngreydanus2033]

Reminds me of the frogs in the pan of water, heat is applied slowly, and they don't notice they are being boiled

[@larryarmstrong6266]

Lol don't worry the preperation for war and starvation is in play

[@wasabiginger6993]

IMO, one needs to be looking at the much bigger picture hardest questions around what & who the feds are and what they are REALLY up to.

[@deker0954]

Just let it go already.

[@kennethbosley1915]

From 1975 to 1981 the university of California, at the behest of the California State Government, conducted a water resource survey. The bottom line on the population these resources could serve was 26 million. This assumed that the historical drought profiles would continue, which they have. However, the California State Government made no effort to limit growth in the state, and the population has burgeoned to over 44 million. There is absolutely no way the natural waterscape can support that many people except in the wettest of years and raiding the Colorado River is, during periods of extended drought, simply not a viable option. Historically, droughts in California can be 3, 11, and 30+ years long. What is happening now happened in the last 200 years on two known occasions and can be expected to happen again. Unless the California State Government is willing to make those kinds of preparations, you can expect water availability in California to resemble a third world country more than the United States during these protracted periods. Good luck to you all, and I suggest that if you can move, then do so. If you can relocate your company, then do so. Water restrictions at these levels are dangerous to your health, and will impede productivity. Take whatever action you deem appropriate.

[@atlasyts]

Last year while visiting Las Vegas, I could not believe all the new housing being built. As far as eye can see, new unoccupied developments. How are they going to be supplied with water?

[@bonniechase5599]

Isn't it interesting how big corporate and moneyed interests never seem to get the memo about shortages? Then they blame the consumers.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

@@bonniechase5599 When prospective house buyers come to look at a property in a desert region, do they thoroughly research the medium to long term viability/sustainability of the property in terms of its access to a stable water supply or do they just close their eyes and hope it rains every Tuesday and Thursday night?

[@marcusfieldfield4069]

The lifestyles of the builders $ and the politicians $ who allow the building to continue in the desert will generally not affected... they don't care

[@dmkfactor1721]

I live in Las Vegas, and of course elections last month. Do you know NOT ONE of the gubernatorial candidates discussed the water problem? In fact of all the people running I only saw 1 person mention the water problem! Sad, truly sad! Our wonderful about to be ex governor was promoting to give half a billion to help build new affordable housing, but not one dollar towards water! WTF?

[@bobdelano6746]

And dont forget the phoinex az area !!

[@konradcomrade4845]

now would be good time to dig out gravel and sand out of the dry Lake Mead. And store it uphills, for future construction etc. That would enlarge the reservoir, for if or when a flooding rainfall came in.

[@john9663]

Excellent reporting and refreshing perspective. Well done!

[@mojo.adventures]

thanks 👍

[@bshingledecker]

Well presented, easy to understand, the most informative that I have run across without the fluff.

[@mojo.adventures]

Thanks for stopping by to comment!

[@DaveFiggley]

From earlier posts, the before/after superimpostions are first-class and highly informative. I'm in the UK but am following this situation in the SW with a morbid fascination. I have to declare my main interest is the change taking place in the upper reaches of 'Lake' Powell where the delta continues to march downstream at an amusing rate. BuRec seems determined, at all costs, to keep Powell above their, arbitrary, 'target' elevation of 3525 - 35' above Minimum Power Pool. Last spring the elevation dipped to ~3523 but has recently held up at ~3530 due to their juggling act with inflows from Flaming Gorge and releases to Mead. In these times, it seems Mead is to be the 'sacrificial lamb'. The information out there is somewhat contradictory but, apparently, Hoover Dam can generate electricity at elevations as low as ~950 famsl - 95 feet below the current water level. ; So, I reckon there will be plenty more Easter-egg boats and bodies-in-oil-drums for people to discover over the coming months. I caught a snippet from one of your earlier videos where you compared the design efficacy of the Hoover and Glen Canyon dams. Hoover has pretty much done the job it was designed to do over the best part of ninety years. On the other hand, Glen Canyon dam seems to have been built to specifications that were over optimistic and even arrogant: The power take off at 3490 is now, and for the foreseeable future, under threat; the 'river outlets' at 3374 are at least 200 feet higher than they should be and the spillway tunnels, when needed, nearly disintegrated which could have, literally, undermined the whole structure. Dead Pool at 3374 leaves 8% of Powell's capacity standing as stagnant water with the Colorado depositing yet more sediment before pouring through these untested 'river outlets'. As I say, not only was Glen Canyon dam built on flawed water data, it was built with the arrogance of 'Man over Nature' and now the Man at BuRec is praying for rain.

[@mojo.adventures]

Welcome to the channel Dave, thank you for watching and commenting! I enjoyed reading the reply you have a lot of good info and points in there. I can say even though you are in the UK, you have a much better understanding of this issue and everything going on behind the scenes than most Americans do! These days most everyday folks are much more worried about how they are going to afford groceries or put gas in their car to get to work. They won't take as much interest in this problem as you have until they turn on the tap and no water comes out. Lake Mead does seem to be the "sacrificial lamb" at this point due to the Glen Canyon Dam failures. That dam has had problems since it was finished as they previously had to repair the spillways already. It's like I stated in the video... these days you can only count on government to do a worse job using more tax money 30 years later. As you mentioned, the whole thing was based on flawed river data from one of the wettest periods in recent history. Now once again, we see the same USBR misreporting the amount in Lake Mead and using flawed data in their calculations. It's like the "experts" have learned nothing. This must be why they have called on the public for opinions, they truly are out of ideas. They don't want to push California to make any cuts for some reason. There is certainly some shady politics and/or backroom deals involved in what's going on here...

[@DaveFiggley]

@@mojo.adventures "There is certainly some shady politics and/or backroom deals involved in what's going on here..." Ha. No kidding ! Keep up the good work.

[@hydroy1]

Just another reason to leave that part of the country. If you still live there, GET OUT ! the crazies are in change and it's not going to get any better.

[@Tyler_Durden_562]

yea I left in 2020 and as much as I miss my hometown of Long Beach, I just can't go back. I keep tabs on the politics and everything California and it just gets worse n worse over the months and years. It's such a bummer, but looks like Tennessee will remain my new home

[@RKelleyCook]

Yes, get rid of Glenn Canyon Dam. Letting it be built was a colossal mistake. Let the Grand Canyon be the Grand Canyon again.

[@jeanierides2232]

The only action that will save Powell and downriver Mead is less demand on the finite resource WATER from the Colorado. DUH 🙄

[@loyann011]

Without years of record snow pack in the Rocky mountains...nuthins gonna change!!

[@ParticipationTrofee]

It's plain to see at 4:39 that the water level has went down 10 inches very quickly. When the water is rising, the land is dry right up to it, when it's going down you see that wet ring in the soil. A thicker ring indicates higher rates of loss.

[@mojo.adventures]

Very interesting thank you for pointing that out! I didn't even notice the soaked ground. The day I recorded this the reported level had dropped about a foot over a few days. I have now seen that island completely under water and completely dry within the same year!

[@dyllan6303]

California was also the reason for owens lake to dry up causing major towns to become abandoned. Seems to me Cali needs to figure something out for themselves in order to save everyone else

[@davidmead6337]

When does growth stop? Less is more for all of us.

[@tminer2110]

desalination is the only option they think the ocean will fill ny why not start takn from thr

[@jamestone265]

Southern California wouldn’t need as much water if Northern California would not have stopped every idea to bring the water south. They would rather dump it in SF bay than give So Cal a drop.

[@jc4evur661]

I'm envious of your clean windshield!

[@mojo.adventures]

I just keep moving the camera mount around to avoid all the rock dings 😂

[@bodhimartina6985]

Thank you for your information. Very much appreciated. I write for a small English voice newspaper in Baja. I will be quoting this in my 2023 Water Watch article and sending people to your channel. Thank you mucho!

[@67miata]

I travel a lot. I have been in LA a lot over the summer and all the lawns there are lush and green. Hotels actively watering all the time. I did not realize California was not yet forced to cut back, and it seems we can just make up more storage numbers to keep them from doing so. What happened to " follow the science"?

[@knighttuttruptuttrup8518]

Thanks for the video, good one, subscribed.

[@mojo.adventures]

Welcome and thanks for the sub!

[@smytb]

Nice video! Thanks! I just subscribed to this channel! I would STRONGLY vote AGAINST REMOVING ANY DAMS, AT ALL!!! They all serve an important purpose in water management plan. Just KEEP ALL OF THE DAMS!!! The droughts will end, and then we will need all of the dams we have!!!

[@mojo.adventures]

Thank you for watching and subscribing! 👍 It seems the USBR doesn't even know what to do yet, that is their plan to somehow rehabilitate Glen Canyon and keep all the dams functional. It would be something to see the reservoirs full again after this dry period!

[@JamesMcGillis]

Hoover Dam is wedged into granite, thus making it more stable (better built?) than Glen Canyon Dam, which is precariously perched in sandstone.

[@boitoiful]

Well, as of today 11/28, Lake Mead is down and the boat sticking up out of the ground is on dry ground again. This is so serious. And here in northern CA, they keep building like nothing is wrong! Perks must be flying big time...

[@richardthomas5362]

If the Colorado river went totally dry and there was no water I don't think northern CA would see any change water wise.

[@gregwilliams853]

The federal government ought to just cut off the supply of water to California , let the people who live there go elsewhere rather then turning a desert into a jungle

[@lissyflur1907]

Underrated Channel. :)

[@mojo.adventures]

Welcome back many thanks 🙏

[@Idahoguy10157]

Southwest climate historically has hundred year droughts. The Bureau of Reclamation built Glen Canyon Dam based on cross your fingers optimism a big drought wouldn’t come. This is less of a natural disaster than really a man-made disaster.

[@joemotes]

Thank you very much for your report.

[@TacoBellMexicanPizza123]

Great work I think the whole point of the third straw was to be able to lower the amount needed for mead and just keep the turbines going during drought

[@mojo.adventures]

Gotta hand it to SNWA they did have the foresight building that 3rd intake to know this was going to happen. That intake supplies the city water so even if the turbines stopped at deadpool, Las Vegas valley would still be able to draw water

[@TacoBellMexicanPizza123]

@@mojo.adventures I'm impressed with the way Vegas recycles the water I wish Cali was leading in that area it should be or at least leading the country in how to manage the water grr

[@TacoBellMexicanPizza123]

@@mojo.adventures I'm a guy who loves lakes and fishing seeing lakes drop like that is insane but Cali needs the power especially with electric cars agenda this turbines will never stop in are Life time

[@jennifermcneece3009]

Water usage should be based on square miles of colorado river watershed, and the water should not leave the watershed.

[@rupe53]

@@mojo.adventures ... new question... did they do that 3rd intake for the future or to start using water behind the dam early on? I mean, if you think about it, the dam took several years to fill up to capacity and I'm sure they didn't want to wait years to start using the water.

[@Siva420x]

The graph of water use needs to show what amount of "water" is sent overseas.

[@goatheadone5412]

Would be interesting to see a satellite view of November 2019-2022 water levels just to visualize what spring is going to start at.

[@kbarrett63]

@7:11 does anyone else get that "Planet of the Apes" vibes/CHILLS when you see this ...!!??

[@mojo.adventures]

I get a lot of "Fallout Vegas" comments from viewers, I've never played it but I can definitely see the Planet of the Apes vibes though. If the lake dried up in the future this would be quite an odd landscape to discover with boats and trash everywhere...

[@stormyoutandaboutmoore4545]

Thanks for the video

[@edgaroverall6475]

thanks for this very important task of getting general public awareness ( are general public keen to do what it takes to preserve natural resources ?) Water management is one of the most difficult endeavors any institution or individual can venture into. Hope politic decision making cedes to technical, science solution appoaches. ( personally we have to come out with the least damaging decision over the short and mid term)

[@mojo.adventures]

Well said Edgar thank you for watching and commenting! Unfortunately the public does not seem keen to do what it takes, especially in areas not yet feeling the effects from the drought. Only farmers are feeling the effects of mandatory water cuts so far. It's not going to hit folks until it actually hits them at home and in the grocery stores.

[@erepsekahs]

What I think is: Man should be adjusting to nature, and not trying to make nature adjust to man. It's a game man cannot win. I live in a very well developed area, it just happens that a few thousand years ago this area used to be massive lake. The weather has been changing landscapes for millions and millions of years, and however much tax you pay, that is not going to change nature. Any water being eveporated from those lakes is going to rise into the atmosphere and come down as rain somewhere else. THAT is a fact of nature.

[@mojo.adventures]

Well said, thank you for the reply! Many of the tribes that roamed here throughout Southern NV had it figured out ages ago. They knew how to live in harmony with the area and not to overuse or abuse it. Our determination in the modern day is to outgrit every problem with brute force, even if the solution is wrong and has been for a long time. After all, there is unlimited taxpayer money for future failed projects! We need to look back to go forward...

[@ohnonotthatguy1465]

And just like anything else follow the money. California has a higher gdp than most counties in the world.

[@bodhimartina6985]

I sure would like follow up on this. It is not December 2022. Nothing has been done. California is just starting to talk about the "brown lawn" while the crisis bears down on the unsuspecting populous. I am with John below. I appreciate your clarity and reporting. I've been researching and watching for over a year now, and no one has mentioned the slight hand by the Feds. But I have wondered all this time why California can still fill their swimming pools! This is very much out of whack! Please give another up date! Thanks you!

[@mojo.adventures]

Welcome to the channel, thank you for watching and commenting! We are working on a follow up to the boat wreck video right now and will be updating the water level in that video. The elevation has dropped a few feet since (~1043 ft. as of Dec 4th) and slowly declining as they withhold flow upstream from Powell. No ground has been gained on compact negotiations or pushback from the USBR. It looks like they are going to ride this train until it is out of track! It does seems like the feds are shielding California from consequences with their slight of hand. For what reason we normal folks may never know but I would suspect it's the usual web of crony politics and kickbacks. It will be water for the wealthy, restrictions for the rest!

[@clifffoltz651]

Hopefully all the storms and snow that has been hitting the western states is going to help the drought situation at lake mead in the upcoming months .

[@docgiggles130]

It’s nowhere near enough. It’s just going push back the fail point. There needs to be several years of storms like what just happened to get the lakes refilled. The west has been in a 20+ year drought. One good year isn’t going to be enough. The number of extremely low lakes on the Colorado River is bad news for those that think Lake Mead will get much of the water from these storms.

[@bobfarish3795]

Why can't they take water from the grand canal and Edison tunnel

[@catholicguy1000]

This is a great video. I realy like it

[@mojo.adventures]

Thank you much glad you enjoyed it!

[@sob5372]

Man this dude has the voice of Dragnet Friday

[@mojo.adventures]

Nothing but the facts on the dam!

[@longlakeshore]

The Federal government is beholden to corporate interests--in this case corporate agribusiness. Ag is why CA & AZ are the biggest water users. Cut agricultural use by half and the reservoirs will recover. AZ resident here.

[@kenhunt5153]

Has Utah given up on the Lake Powell Pipeline? No. Utah is ranked either #1 or 2 in water use per person. The municipal water rates in Utah are some of the cheapest in the States. 65% of the water in Utah goes to one crop, alfalfa. This contributes about 1% of the State's GDP. Utah is the 2nd driest State in the Country.

[@Aubreefart123]

What’s the song in that back that’s all I could think about

[@mojo.adventures]

Quincas Moreira - Electrosamba ✌🎶

[@AndreasPelonis]

California needs to step up and build desalination plants

[@fokkerd3red618]

I agree.

[@thomasrice4078]

Is there any solution other than desalination?

[@Osnosis]

Yes! An expensive, energy-hogging solution to the problem. Woohoo!

[@AndreasPelonis]

@@Osnosis OK smart-ass I don't see you giving any ideas to solve the problem.

[@Osnosis]

Elsewhere I mentioned drip irrigation as being the #1 solution for agriculture. We could also move away from beef ranching; read Welfare Ranching for a good treatise.

[@guy858]

what I don't completely understand is WHY desalination plants aren't being built, or haven't already been built in California ? California has all the water it needs right there.. expensive ? California is one of the richest states in the country, this should have been done many years ago.. I don't get it ? and looking, I guess the state does have plants operational ?

[@Chainyanker007]

Expensive to desalinate water although there are some plants operating here in SCal. I’d like to see infrastucture going in to make recycled water, currently use for landscape and flushing toilets in some buildings, to be treated to make it drinkable. Recycled water is disinfected but it contains things like heavy metals which makes it undrinkable, except maybe in a short emergency. Singapore, a small water limited country solely dependent on getting its water from Malaysia treated its sewage water to become pure drinkable water. The tech is there to do it but expensive to do so, nevertheless that will alleviate water wastage.

[@johncarson8148]

Every year when it rains, all the run off goes into the ocean! Now they want to build desalinization plants to get that water back. Ca. Should build a few reservoirs To capture the run off. Then use solar to pump it to the end user!

[@rupe53]

do some research on the countries that already do desalination then look at the $$$ and the number of people they supply. Their head count is a drop in the bucket compared to California, which is why it's possible. Do the math on the size increase and the cost would be so far in left field it would make your head spin.

[@4absentfriends]

We were at Lake Mead in November, 2022 and sadly; it's very low.

[@metal--babble346]

main talking point to keep Lake Powell is the "Millions" $$$$ generated by ski boat tourism. What we DON'T hear, is the Powell water level is currently so low, that every main boat launch is closed. There are rag tag launches that can get small craft in the water, but the low levels make rocks and dead trees dangerous for boating

[@jackmehoff4613]

When will they outlaw all the swimming pools, which consume vast amounts of water to evaporation?

[@mojo.adventures]

Interestingly enough the water district did just implement new restrictions in July for Las Vegas homes... no new pools bigger than 600 sq ft. This is mostly to eliminate large luxury pools since the average residential pool is around 300-500 sq ft.

[@giancarlomoscetti215]

Until people in California get forced to cut water, they won't...they have felt no pain yet, so feel no urgency. Combine that with the typical "you suck, we rule" mentality of many Californians and it is very obvious that draconian measures will need to take place. They have to feel REAL pain...put a 1000% increase on the price of water for example. MAKE them come up with other sources of water. There are desalination facilities that have never been used that need to be put into use. Why haven't they been used? Because of the cost, and as long as these fools can GET cheap water, they won't do what they need to.

[@mojo.adventures]

Well said! That is the exact situation we are in. It is like a standoff between the States. Since USBR is misreporting the content in Lake Mead and delaying cuts, there is seemingly no moderator now either. For some reason USBR seems to be protecting the California export farmers and their water waste. I suspect there are some deep political/donor ties between those farms and the politicians running the state. They are quick to remind you how California is the "5th largest economy" but also how they have no money for infrastructure or desal plants. Where's all that money??

[@christopherthompson2078]

Very interesting .from a wet soggy uk x

[@mojo.adventures]

Thank you for watching from over there in the UK! You know what they say my friend... the grass is always greener. I wouldn't mind trading places for a few days😉

[@onlythewise1]

i see streets in California being watered instead of the grass

[@darynm1679]

I've read a number of reports and watched a few videos about the water shortages in CA and from what I have gathered CA has removed a number of reservoirs and other water management tools. There have also been a number of things proposed that would help a great deal with the issue but environmental groups and and other special interests keep them from happening. In my opinion if they are not willing to do their part in their state then I don't see why other states should suffer.

[@Bugs11000]

A dehumidifier produces 25 litres of water a day. Now if they were to ask the people in Las Vegas to use one dehumidifier and produce 25 litres of water a day and put this down the drain because all the water is filtered and thrown back into lake mead. If only one million people would do this this would mean 25 million litres per day. In a week lake mead would be full again. Problem solved 😌.

[@rupe53]

yeah, but the humidity level in that area is about nil in the first place. After all, it's a desert.

[@tomgates316]

You need humidity first.

[@Bugs11000]

@@tomgates316 take a cold can of Coca-Cola outside on a hot summer day. The can starts to sweat right away, dry or humid conditions. Same thing for a dehumidifier.

[@docgiggles130]

You clearly don’t live is the west where the humidity is very low. You can not get that much water out of the air in the desert. I could see that possible in the eastern US, but not the western US. I know this for a fact because I worked for a company that tried to sell “self refilling” water coolers for offices. They were a total failure because they couldn’t produce more than a liter a day. The same machine was pumping out 5+ gallons a day in Florida.

[@Wolfspirit50]

God would have to make it rain for several months to refill Lake Mead.

[@carisi2k11]

your going to have to do what we do in Australia. Learn how to squeeze every bit from each drop of water. Water reclaimation especially on industrial sites should be mandatory. High intensity water crops will need to find other ways then water from these lakes. Houses need to reduce the amount of water and you should look at your toilets for a start. They waste so much water by filling up to the top. New toilets that uses significantly less water should be mandated and also water usage in general. encourage grey water from baths, showers and washing machines for gardening and washing cars.

[@mojo.adventures]

Thanks Craig for stopping in from Australia and leaving a comment! You have a lot of great suggestions that should be the standard here for anyone using the river. Unfortunately, as you can see from the video, some US States are less willing to give up their normal water usage and waste they've been accustomed to for decades. Some folks just don't want to admit the problem is a problem or that it is theirs, because they get water from the tap still. I will be releasing another update soon that covers some of the topics you mentioned, like reclamation efforts and irrigation waste. Hope to see you at another episode in the future 👍

[@carisi2k11]

@@mojo.adventures We have issues like that as well with irrigators along the murray darling river system here. Although most of that river system is now in flood the issue needs to be resolved still here as well. The river has gone from bone dry due to drought and irrigation to flooding because of recent weather patterns. However water reclaimation in busisness has helped us in this regard recently.

[@Pixx4you]

GREAT.. ! info.

[@mojo.adventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrDrewthat]

IMO new housing and commercial starts need to be canceled until nature is able to replenish. Conservation will certainly help but will never solve the problem. Asl Also, govt to remove themselves and allow states to take care if thems.

[@mojo.adventures]

That is one the largest problems in the desert southwest... population explotions without the necessary resources or infrastructure. Building drives the local economy here but big developers make backroom deals with politicians and environmental groups to rubber stamp approvals with no oversight. Then they are allowed to do whatever they want without regard to public opinion or the environment.

[@seecanon5840]

Now would be the time to clean up the edges of the lakes with the use of heavy equipment. If the farmers export their crops why allow them to farm that crop? It looks like more crops for the USA and not for China.

[@bobsponge1877]

I'm waiting for some channel to see your video, then say, "Will it run?" lol

[@yamaha226]

it already is.

[@bobsponge1877]

@@yamaha226 got a link to that video?

[@avenaoat]

I think to produce fresh water from the Pacific Ocean for (South) California and Mexico should start soon! I think the enery shortage is the biggest problem for such big project!

[@avenaoat]

Energy shortage is the biggest problem for producing fresh water from the Ocean.

[@mojo.adventures]

That is the biggest obstacle I am seeing also, the energy required and what to do with the waste brine. If we could solve those issues we'd be well on our way to a solution!

[@tminer2110]

isnt the iocean being desalinated according to the scientist brine can just go back to the ocean maybe even treated so what is put back is clean amd removed of toxic pollutants

[@toddpro1]

Divert the Grand Ditch waters into the Colorado River. Then drain Lake Powell and improve the pipes so it can make power with lower water levels. Then refill Lake Powell.

[@mojo.adventures]

Well done this is one of the more comprehensive plans I've seen suggested. That would be quite the undertaking! It seems like with any real solution Lake Powell is going to have to be drained or termporarily lowered at some point...

[@rockyperez2828]

I say since more folks get their drinking water from mead that Glenn canyon dam should be knocked down like the way klamath dam was done

[@jonryan5339]

I believe a fisher/crack has opened in a lower section of the Lake that could possibly be leaking into an underwater fisher.

[@mojo.adventures]

Thank you for watching and commenting! Interesting theory... I would say it is plausible if you look around the geology of this region. One of the things that fascinates me are the sinkholes nearby like "Diana's Punch Bowl" and the "Devil's Hole" that some believe are connected to and fed by ancient underground river systems. Fascinating topic if you look into it...

[@thomasrice4078]

Fissure

[@ericcowan7759]

Why aren't they cutting how much water all those golf courses use, because they aren't, just as green and lush as they've always been. No conservation or concern for usage there. The average use, per day is over 2 BILLION GALLONS!

[@johnfrancis9668]

I saw how bad it was getting and moved from San Diego to Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

[@mojo.adventures]

Good move, a war over water has already been brewing in CA for years and it's between the farmers vs. the cities. Wait until the mandatory cuts start. I don't see the issue getting any better at this point until there is a major collapse or shortage event to motivate people...

[@elmersemmel3530]

which dam was built first>>>

[@mojo.adventures]

Hoover in 1936 👍 Glen Canyon was finished in 1963

[@loyann011]

I'm in AZ and haven't seen ANY CUTS

[@mojo.adventures]

Thanks for watching glad you brought this up! Much like CA, a large portion of the river used by AZ is for agriculture not consumer use. The tier 2 water shortage cuts for AZ only really affect the farmers. Same scenario would happen in CA if they were to make any cuts. As a consumer you aren't going to feel any effects until 1) deeper tiers cuts are made, or 2) farm production slows due to cuts and grocery store supply shrinks / prices rise.

[@danielsmithson4870]

Maintain the Glenn Canyon Dam.

[@lawrenceneuser6342]

I cannot see what the problem is lake Mead and Hoover Dam were there first they should have priority over the water That's what the dam at Hoover Dam was built for not for lake Powell

[@leeroberts1192]

There's talk of batteries eventually using sodium so that about using desalination plants to fill both lakes. The excess salt could be used to create sodium and chlorine. The sodium could be used to make sodium batteries, don't know what the chlorine could be sued for

[@mojo.adventures]

I'm glad you commented with this! I've been learning more about the sodium cell topic recently and it seems like a very useful discovery. Between that and the fusion breakthrough recently it seems like big changes are on the horizon (at least hoping!) Imagine driving a power hungry desal plant with fusion energy then using the waste brine to make sodium cells for EV's! On our page, I have a playlist at the bottom called "What we're watching". At the very end you'll see a video on the sodium battery that's pretty interesting. I'll save you the click around if you'd like to see it: No More Lithium! NEW Sodium Ion Battery 2.0 Changes Everything 2023 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4vHiKuNqbZ1ftU

[@leeroberts1192]

@@mojo.adventures Funnily enough I was watching a video yesterday about an impending big hike in the cost of lithium: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqC6nIKEl9ydes0 That's going to affect everyone when you think how many lithium battery devices people have. EVs are already expensive to buy here in the UK. A big hike in the cost of lithium and the knock-on affect on lithium car battery prices could well push EVs well out of reach of most people

[@charlessherlock3204]

I think that the Bureau of land management is in Nevada a joke

[@mojo.adventures]

I've met a lot of great rangers at the field offices they are a wealth of info on the back country and road conditions. Like most bloated organizations though, the leadership at the top and their "agenda" leaves a lot to be questioned and desired. Especially after the actions we saw here in Nevada a few years back over long held grazing rights. That is when I saw BLM was just becoming another overreaching militant arm of the US Govt.

[@MYOB990]

Cut off CA completely.

[@brucemartini2288]

Buffalo NY got dozens of feet of snow, scoop it all into tankers n ship it to lake Mead

[@mojo.adventures]

I saw a crazy cold front is going through there right now. The tanker idea has been mentioned a few times in our other videos but it was mainly moving flood waters from Pacific NW or Mississippi. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@jroar123]

Current lake level sits at: 1,043.77 1,043.77-895= 148.77 ft. Until dead pool

[@mojo.adventures]

Thank you for the update, we're under 150 ft to gamble with left and it doesn't look like it's headed up

[@TacoBellMexicanPizza123]

The Tonga Volcano explosion in the ocean in January shot moisture into space there is 10% more water in are atmosphere this year it takes 3 years for this moisture to gradually fall this will possibly cause 3 cold winter's look at all the snow pack coming in already Colorado upper basin snow pack is up huge Siberia snow pack is already double of last year 🤞 Mother nature rules let's get the rain and snow baby

[@rockyperez2828]

Even tho if colorado has an epic snow fall this year and when all that snow melts hardly any water will reach the colorado river. Reason why it want make is it cause the land is so dry that it will soak up the water like a HUGE SPONGE so as fore seeing large amounts of water from the spring thaw I dont think it will happen 68% will be soaked up by the parched soil..

[@TacoBellMexicanPizza123]

@@rockyperez2828 there is way more snow pack coming

[@rockyperez2828]

@@TacoBellMexicanPizza123 well it will have to be truelly alot of snow cause I think only about 30% will ever reach the river if that much maybe less and not enough to really make a difference. But every drop counts in a parched desert huh

[@TacoBellMexicanPizza123]

@@rockyperez2828 it's not just snow google the great flood of 1861 62 or just KZbin 2017 AR atmosphereic river Orville dam in 3 days of rain it filled all the lakes up in northern California in 3 days almost blew the Orville dam evacuated 200k people AR atmosphereic rivers Carry enough water to fill the Mississippi twice and the lakes were empty with another AR coming 🤣🤣

[@TacoBellMexicanPizza123]

@@rockyperez2828 2017 Orville dam was a lesson for California the have a huge flood problem not a drought reason they will release millions and billions of water straight into the ocean infrastructure is old

[@mikestaihr5183]

So population isn't important? Southern California population is around 24 million and Arizona is 7 million? As far as domestic use who needs more?

[@mojo.adventures]

70% of the river used by Southern California is for agriculture, not domestic use. Much of that is wasted on water thirsty forage crops for export. California refuses to make voluntary cuts to these farms. The population of 24 million (and more) could easily be served by the Colorado River with even small cuts to their more wasteful agriculture. So the elected leadership there has already answered your question... domestic consumers don't matter, the Colorado River doesn't matter, the foreign farms are what is important.

[@mikestaihr5183]

@@mojo.adventures You're right but Arizona is also guilty of doing exactly the same thing as well as other "desert" states. Maybe not with the power that California has basically being first in line. That is a result of water rights laws that have been around for at least a century or more. It sucks but nobody has bothered to change them.

[@Bassmaster1256]

For starters "WE NEED TO QUIT BUILDING THESE LARGE HOUSING TRACTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@josephmclennan1229]

I think food and farmers are essential.

[@brandynstanton4121]

He's referring specifically to the foreign interest farms, that grow water-critical crops for export. Saudi Arabia grows alfalfa for their cattle here, after their own water sources failed. That's just one example.

[@tstarcher2001]

Remember how our teachers would tell us that California may fall off into the ocean one day? I'm so ready for that to happen. Would solve so many problems.

[@mojo.adventures]

I hope the folks would never have to endure more natural disasters and lack of response, but sadly it may take some sort of reset to end the abuses there. I do remember hearing about all the earthquakes and being fascinated with the San Andreas fault. Now there are renewed talks of a "big one" from the fault activity there. With all the things California is already mismanaging like drought, wildfire, and dams breaking, that's a volatile place I wouldn't want to be!

[@Tyler_Durden_562]

lol ignorant people like you clearly don't understand that California has over 400 COMMODITIES provided to the country, including Over a third of the country's vegetables and three-quarters of the country's fruits and nuts. But yea, pray for that state to fall into the ocean lol

[@Tyler_Durden_562]

the largest problem is how crucial water going into California is, and it's not for the sake of California, it's for the sake of the entire country. California agriculture provides the most food out of any other 49 states. Without CA Agriculture, this country will begin to starve.

[@mojo.adventures]

I agree, something needs to be worked out as far as food production and compartmentalization between regions. It seems like a national security issue even. I have ideas of large modular indoor growhouses that can be placed around the country, especially outside large city centers, that can help supply produce to their own regions.

[@1ytcommenter]

So property prices in that desert cities will plummet soon?

[@mojo.adventures]

Only when the developers have too much standing inventory AND people stop fleeing other States for overpriced housing. Not seeing that at all yet...

[@trikester4919]

I agree water conservation is a key factor in preserving the Colorado River System, However, Mother Nature millions of years ago already designated the southwest as an arid desert. Continued development and population increases in the southwest and total reliance on Mother Nature to replenish the system cannot be relied upon. So my suggestion is to transport water from water rich regions and pipeline that water into the headlands of the System to begin replenishing it. We transport oil and gas via pipelines throughout the country, why not water? Heck, we send Havasu water to southern cali.....why can't we transport water into the System? You see, the Colorado River System is like a checking account. If your withdrawls exceed your deposits you run out of money. Common sense rules except in government!

[@mojo.adventures]

Well said, thank you for watching and commenting! The pipeline/transport idea has been coming up frequently on the channel. I personally think more man-made meddling might make things worse at this point seeing how a lot of this issue is simple mismanagement. Like you said the continued development and over-reliance on the water (especially for growing crops in the desert) seems to be the biggest issue that needs to be addressed ASAP.

[@Osnosis]

Plus the massive energy/$ cost of transporting water (which means pumping). Drip irrigation is a partial solution.

[@trikester4919]

@@Osnosis Historically and presently crude oil and refined products are transported via pipelines through out the country with pump stations as needed depending on topography. For transporting water into the Colorado River System would be no different. Pump stations could even be powered by renewable energy (wind and solar to make the greenies happy) however since the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow the pump stations would need petroleum fuels as backups. The water would be considered a commodity and pricing and fees would need to be established. Remember, the system is like a checking account if the withdrawals exceed the deposits the account runs out of money. By the way, didn't the dems pass huge infrastructure bills let's tap into some of that money to get the job done. Just think of how much loss and suffering will occur if the System dries up and all of the demographics, cities and counties dry up..............

[@Osnosis]

@@trikester4919 Well the vast majority of $ in the infrastructure bill is for 'bridges & roads', and not for 'greening' the economy. That said, you have a point, but it is, indeed, a massive capital investment to get something like this started (let alone finished). So you're talking decades of work; right now reduced use is the best and fastest potential solution. But, this being America, we may wait for some fantastical solution, like Jesus waving his magical hands and making it rain. Other points to be made, but you get the drift.

[@gobbygoo3981]

even 10 yrs of 110% snowpack wouldn't fix this problem. where will YOU move to?

[@robinflynn2397]

seriously dude if you have a drone 😲 go buy some of these gated communities out in the middle of the desert and stuff fly over them see what you see 😱 they're dated for a reason so that people won't know the real thing that's going on!! and I actually look for another damn that was built on the FLY😏 because Dan went down too fast!!! it's amazing what a little money I'll do 💸

[@mojo.adventures]

There is plenty of that in Las Vegas including two more huge artificial lake communities that serve no purpose, countless golf courses, swimming pools, useless vanity features like fountains and fish ponds and on and on... the people with enough $$$ with continue to use and waste whatever they please.

[@RDC_Autosports]

1:44 i was gonna say that’s the problem, no one cares enough

[@Captaraknospider]

Can you claim that boat? It's pretty nice.

[@mojo.adventures]

Removing "artifacts" inside a park is illegal, so it depends on whether the NPS considers the boat an artifact. I suppose this boat could be it's own park attraction by now though😂 That being said, I don't think the park service is going to pull any of this stuff out of the lake so...

[@texascowboy8726]

News flash! Water cuts are not going to solve any problems. ONLY a desalination plant built in southern California with a 10' diameter pipeline to lake Mead is going to solve the issue.

[@TacoBellMexicanPizza123]

Government can't fix this don't waist your tax dollars only mother nature

[@stevelacker358]

Hoover Dam is definitely a better dam than Glen Canyon, but I don’t think it’s fair to just blame the government for “getting worse at completing jobs.” A lot of Glen Canyon Dam’s issues are due to it sitting in softer, more permeable rock formations than the very rigid and impermeable igneous rock at Hoover. There are admittedly some design and construction shortcomings, too, but you have to remember that Hoover was over-engineered snd built with a massive surplus of manual labor available during the Great Depression, while Glen Canyon was built with much more mechanized methods during a period of economic prosperity. Also, both dams suffered almost identical spillway erosion when the spillways actually had to be used for extended periods (hard to imagine either one needing spillways right now!). Glen Canyon’s spillway tunnel damage was more extensive, but it’s spillways had to be used for a longer period of time. Both (and other dams too) have since been modified because the process became clear at Glen Canyon (cavitation damage) and a method of remediation (aereation of the flow just after it enters the spillway) was developed. I personally think both dams should be preserved, California usage should be heavily restricted at higher lake levels on par or even more than the other stated, and Powell used for periodic flood-level releases through the Grand Canyon to re-establish pre- dam erosion patterns, as had been done at least once on an experimental basis.

[@mojo.adventures]

Very good points, thank you for all that info! Viewers have pointed out that some of the biggest problems come from simply where Powell was created in the porous sandstone. I would have never considered this at first. I have been learning a lot about the spillway failures also and looking through media from the actual repair procedures. Very fascinating how all this is engineered and constructed. It just seems the experts and the studies the government had at the time were extremely flawed. I am very much hoping they aren't repeating those same mistakes now...

[@timlewis5096]

Your comment on "Senior water rights", what a load of crap. Those involved in the management and water usage are still playing the blame game. If you want to be serious about the Colorado River water. Put a charge on it, A significant charge on it. I suggest in the region of $2 to $3 dollars per 1000 gallons. Any water users will then have to change their current irrigation systems to stay viable. Stock and domestic water should also carry a significant charge so the incentive is to use less water. The whole Colorado River system has been so screwed up for so long I do not believe it can be saved. I feel the next 5 years will see the river system collapse all together and a significant population movement to states with a more secure water situation. Beware of the first nation people. There is a significant increase in their power and I can see bodies being held to agreements made in the past that have been trampled all over in the quest for the mighty dollar.

[@julielh5193]

Yes, we should take the Glen Canyon Dam down and the whole subject of water rights I has to be entirely reworked with current water flow/precipitation data. The “senior” water rights, if want to be honest, go to the indigenous peoples, Not the State of California. Conservation is critical, but equally important is habitat and species restoration in the Colorado watershed.

[@mojo.adventures]

Thank you for watching! I agree with your points the "senior" rights should have been revisited decades ago seeing how this whole issue was based on flawed data to begin with. Very good point with the indigenous also! I will be doing an episode on Lake Powell soon covering parts of that. The Navajo were promised water rights and land to supplement their displacement when the canyon was flooded, and of course they were lied to and misled while their resources were squandered away like we see happening now. We should have learned from them...

[@tminer2110]

how is the horseshoe doing miss that place

[@mojo.adventures]

I think it requires a little hike to get up to it now 🤔I haven't been out there no boat unfortunately thought we hope to rent one and do an episode with it sometime 👍

[@clandestinewanderers2380]

These aren’t lakes, they’re reservoirs. And the purpose of a reservoir is to provide water during times of drought. The fact that these RESERVOIRS are losing water is normal and expected. This is EXACTLY what these were designed to accomplish. They happen to provide recreational activities like fishing and boating but that is only a bonus during times of plenty. These reservoirs will fill up again when the drought is over.

[@docgiggles130]

The west had been in a 20+ year drought with little sign of it ending (one good year doesn’t mark the end of a drought.) These lakes were never designed for this long of a drought. Things would be much worse without them, but to say them getting this low is normal is just false. People that think like you is why they are still building hundreds and thousands of new homes in places that don’t have the water to support them. Laws on water usage need to be changed. Right now they have a ‘use it or lose it’ setup where anyone that doesn’t use their full share every year loses the extra in the following years. It’s kind of hard to refill a lake when everyone is sucking as much water out of it as they can.

[@clandestinewanderers2380]

@@docgiggles130 droughts aren’t caused by usage; they’re caused by the lack of rainfall and what you don’t know is that almost all cities have a TERRIBLE process, if any, for capturing rainfall. Los Angeles is the best example. These reservoirs will fill again with rainfall. The Earth’s processes go through times that ebb and flow. People like you speak about the current drought conditions in such an apocalyptic manner that is so hyperbolic. Just like the market goes up and down, so will our rainfall.

[@docgiggles130]

@@clandestinewanderers2380 And what you don't understand is that we have not seen a drought like this in recorded history. The system we have in place was never built for a drought this long. To think that we don't need to do anything because the rain will just fill the lakes back up again is the very reason the lakes are drying out. Even in the best of times, there is a limit on the amount of water entering the system. The more demand there is, the harder it is to replenish when we do have a wet year... Something we have not had in more than 20 years. Even the crazy storms the west is getting now will not be enough to refill all the lakes that are nearing Dead Water. All these storms are doing is pushing back WHEN the lakes hit Dead Water. If the lakes hit Dead Water, all the people saying "These reservoirs will fill again with rainfall" will just sit there trying to understand how millions of people suddenly don't have enough drinking water. The population in the west has exploded since the time these dams were built. There is more demand than anyone had planned on. This drought has exposed the flaw in a system that was designed more than 60 years ago. Adjustments must be made to keep the entire system from collapsing in on itself. Hell, there are people thinking that one of the things that should be done to fill Lake Mead is to remove the Glen Canyon dam that created Lake Powell. Yeah, that's right. They think to save Lake Mead, they need to cut the water storage even lower while still allowing for more demand to be built. But don't worry. As soon as the water runs out in the west, the east will understand what it's like to have their water systems taxed to the max. There will be millions of people fleeing the west and moving east. Hope you are ready for that.

[@clandestinewanderers2380]

@@docgiggles130 they’re already filling. Watch the news…

[@docgiggles130]

@@clandestinewanderers2380 Do you have any idea how much water it takes to fill? The answer is NO. You should watch the entire reporting because you most likely missed the "It will take several year of higher than normal water totals to refill the lakes" that they slip in at the very end. Even with the water we have gotten so fat this year, almost the entire west is still listed as being in a Sever or Extreme drought conditions. Heck, the water totals we have had to this point would leave the west at a Normal water level for the year if the storms stop now. That just shows how bad things were before the storms hit. Now before you point to the rains in California, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho as being good for Lake Mead or any of the lakes on the Colorado River, remember this, None of that water even makes it to the Colorado River.

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

If the affected states want to reduce water usage they should raise the price per thousand gallons folks start getting 500 dollar water bills they will find ways to reduce there water usage Also commiefornia is going to have to build deslsnization plants No amount of water restrictions is going to prevent the lakes from drying up when the droughts are preventing the lakes from being refilled

[@toddwieland7664]

theres no numbers on that hull

[@phillipnichols9898]

They have been Detouring the water upstream for years in the rockies were the water flows and you don't know

[@mojo.adventures]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I covered the river diversion and continental divide in the last update check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap3LqXqvr8R6obs

[@Dave-ul8px]

California shouldn't get any of the water very little of the water in the Colorado basin is from California

[@timharris3823]

My question is how could the ancient Romans figure out all kinds of aquaduct systems and we can't seem to figure out that we have parts of the country that yearly get way to much rain and water and flood all the time. To overly simplify something it would be pipe and pumps. Problem is the damn politicians have to get involved and figure out who's pockets are gonna get stuffed from a project like that. For example you could set up a system to come across the top of the states from the great lakes and dump into the top of the Colorado water system then just let the system in place funnel it down to the other states like it does now.

[@mojo.adventures]

You nailed it! It's been a problem ignored far too long while crony politicians, donors, and their mega-corps fight for control of the water behind closed doors. Meanwhile, we the people are the ones who will be slapped with the most restrictions and suffer most. The wasteful desert farms and the bottled water corporations who own the politicians will own the water.

[@tomgates316]

"No water shall be diverted or exported from any portion of the Great Lakes within the United States, or from any tributary within the United States of any of the Great Lakes, for use outside the Great Lakes basin unless such diversion or export is approved by the Governor of each of the Great Lake [1] States." Portion of Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. And if all the governors do agree, there is a yearly limit that won't do much to float a boat. International treaty that includes Canada. "...four of the Great Lakes are international waters and are defined as boundary waters in the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 between the United States and Canada, and as such any new diversion of Great Lakes water in the United States would affect the relations of the Government of the United States with the Government of Canada."

[@chip9177]

Why keep trying to re-engineer mother nature. It is a f'ing desert.

[@deliabeckman8602]

Tell California to man up and do their share of cuts!

[@mojo.adventures]

The feds (USBR) are shielding California from the drought cutbacks that other states have been onboard with for quite some time already. Even going so far as to misrepresent the content in Lake Mead to stop them from feeling the consequences. The real question is why are they doing that and who's in on the take...? 🤔

[@theguildedcage]

Only when the rationing starts will the upheaval begin. We'll be luck to avoid a complete societal and biological ecosystem break down.

[@mojo.adventures]

I would have to agree with you (unfortunately) the outcome would be bottled water for those who can afford it and dehydration for those who can't. I'm sure there's a few corporations currently bottling our dwindling water supply that can't wait for that to happen.

[@larrygalbreath]

I say take it down! The movie Chinatown tells the story pretty well.

[@jasonbouchard9133]

Should of been addressed a long time ago

[@tookmyhandle2]

Maybe we should take down both dams and let the river return to nature. I'm sure the folks in California would figure something out.

[@jame2182]

The casinos don't use too much water ( I'm a LIAR) plus they make a lot of money for their owners it's all about the profit quit acting like people not having water is a big deal when you're a corporation and you own a business and your job is to make money