Human Remains Found at Lake Mead Amid Drought
As water levels in Lake Mead continue to drop, authorities have discovered human remains, marking the latest in a line of gruesome discoveries.
Human remains have been discovered at Lake Mead outside Las Vegas, Nevada, as water levels in the crucial reservoir continue to drop.
These remains were discovered on 16 August, according to USA Today. The National Park Service (NPS) reported that there did not appear to be anything suspicious about the body.
Las Vegas police took a non-criminal report for the remains, stating that authorities were trying to identify the deceased person, as well as determine the manner and cause of death, USA Today said.
As water levels have declined in recent years, authorities have found multiple bodies. In 2022, authorities recovered a body in a barrel, USA Today noted.
Some experts believe Lake Mead's location near Las Vegas, an organized crime hotspot, means it's probable still more remains will be discovered.
## Grim Discovery Amid Drought
This week's grim finding underscores Lake Mead's perilously low water levels amid a historic drought and broader water crisis in the US west. Weeks ago, Lake Mead's water level dipped to 1,040.4ft above sea level, nearing the 28 July 2022 record low.
| Water Level | Date | Record Low | | --- | --- | --- | | 1,040.4ft | Weeks ago | 28 July 2022 |
Lake Mead is integral for water storage on the Colorado River, which provides water to about 40 million people across seven states, as well as tribal nations and Mexico. The river basin is reeling from a mix of extended drought, extreme heat, waning snowmelt and over-consumption.
## Climate Change Consequences
The second major reservoir on the river, Lake Powell, is also seeing historic low levels as the global climate continues to warm.
Jack Schmidt, director of Utah State University's Center for Colorado River Studies, previously said that the ultimate cause of the problem is declining runoff, which is caused by a warming climate.
| Expert | Quote | | --- | --- | | Jack Schmidt | "In the 21st century, the ultimate cause of the problem is declining runoff. There's less water in the system. It's caused by a warming climate, period." |
