With Mead Approaching Record Low, Hoover Dam's Power Generation Already Cut By About 25%
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This year the Colorado River Basin is expected to see the second driest year in more than a century on record. The driest year on record was 2002. According to (Ed. - USBR spokeswoman Patti) Aaron, a smaller snowpack in the Rockies this year has resulted in less inflow into Lake Mead. “The runoff election is now essentially over,” she said. This year’s runoff election is 31 percent of the average. The drainage season usually runs from April to July, Aaron said.
The sinking lake level has also reduced the electricity generating capacity of the Hoover Dam. According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the dam’s power plant can produce around 2,080 megawatts. Aaron said the current capacity is 1,567 megawatts, enough to power about 350,000 homes.
“When the lake level is high, there is more pressure on the water that is forced into the turbines,” said Aaron. “And with less pressure, they have to work harder, so they are not quite as efficient.”
For every foot in elevation that lake level drops, the dam loses about 6 megawatts of capacity, Aaron said. The lowest water level that will allow the dam to continue generating electricity is 950 feet. “But we are in no danger of reaching that point,” said Aaron.
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https://dailycoloradonews.com/record-low-with-a-view-of-the-lake-boulder-city-review/
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