Lake Mead's dramatic fall exposes drought emergency in the West -photos ..... [View all]

Lake Mead’s dramatic fall exposes drought emergency in the West
https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/nation/2026/06/11/lake-mead-drought-system-crash-photos/90495942007/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

June 11, 2026, 11:49 a.m. ET


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Lake Mead is one of the largest reservoirs in the nation. A climate change-fueled megadrought coupled with increased water demands in the Southwest has drastically lowered the lake's water levels leaving a white "bathtub ring" of mineral deposits from higher water levels.
Lake Mead is one of the largest reservoirs in the nation. A climate change-fueled megadrought coupled with increased water demands in the Southwest has drastically lowered the lake's water levels leaving a white "bathtub ring" of mineral deposits from higher water levels.
Mark Henle, Arizona Republic Via USA TODAY Network






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Lake Mead’s surface elevation has dropped to 1050 feet above sea level in May, 175 feet lower than its record high of 1225.44 more than forty years ago in July 1983.
This May 2021 image shows the white 'bathtub ring' from the high-water mark on the rocks around the lake.
Mark Henle, Arizona Republic Via USA TODAY Network