Lake Mead, located in the Black Canyon, Colorado, has been decreasing in the water supply. In July 2022, water levels were at 1,040 feet, the lowest since the reservoir was first constructed. According to the National Park Service, Lake Mead provides water to most of the western United States, like Arizona, California, and Nevada. Since 1983 Lake Mead’s water level has dropped over 170 feet causing concern.

The water release started last week receiving water from the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. This water resupply experiment is known as a “high-flow experiment” conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. High-flow experiments have been conducted since November 2012 and have been an efficient way to help lakes, rivers, and dams maintain an excellent water level. These experiments help the flow of water increase to  rivers, lakes, and dams that have been affected by warmer temperatures and drought more and more water to dry up

Carson Davidsen (9) stated in an interview that “HFE (High Flow Experiments) is [sic] extremely important as these major dams and lakes that supply water to big populated cities won’t stay completely filled forever,” demonstrating why HFEs are so important.

That is why HFE is so important. As drought and temperature continue to rise due to global warming lakes and dams will start to dry up, High Flow Experiments will continue to increase in importance.