Recent storms created an incredible spectacle in Utah’s Lake Powell Iceberg Canyon as waterfalls formed over the cliffs on Wednesday, August 2.
The natural phenomenon comes as reservoir levels continue to rise to record levels, reversing a devastating drought.
Authorities warned of severe storms on Wednesday. The storms brought thunder, lightning, hail and winds of up to 70 mph.
After the storm, massive amounts of water crashed down the rocks, as seen in videos shot by Adrianne Cooper and Eric Wells, ABC4 reported.
Waterfalls formed after severe storms on August 2 at Lake Powell, creating a spectacle for onlookers
The water poured off the rocks into the reservoir, which had experienced drought until months ago
Winter storms combined with summer rains have contributed to the rise in water levels
In recent months, Lake Powell’s water level has risen 14 meters due to repeated winter storms.
During the winter, snow depth reached 160 percent of what is considered normal in Utah.
The stark contrast was so striking that it could be seen in satellite images captured by the European Space Agency’s Copernicus SENTINEL-2.
Snow levels shattered 40-year-old records in the state, with a snowwater equivalent of 30 inches beginning just before the satellite began recording the time-lapse images.
The rise in water levels at Lake Powell can be attributed to the historic 2022/23 winter season
Earlier this year, experts said it was unlikely to refill in the next 50 years after drought pushed it to its lowest level in decades
A bathtub ring that can be seen above the waterline around Lake Powell was created during drought that reduced Colorado River flow in Lake Powell on April 15, 2023.
The amount of snow allowed the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to drain water through the Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell, which helped downstream Lake Mead.
The stunning rise in the reservoir’s elevation is an encouraging development for this critical water supply. It comes just months after experts said it was unlikely to refill in the next 50 years amid severe drought.
Based on the depleted levels of Lake Mead and Lake Powell, Brad Udall, a water and climate scientist at Colorado State University, told The Los Angeles Times that he would estimate that replenishing the reservoirs would take about six consecutive extremely wet years. last, with water flows similar to those of 2011.
“It would take us about six years to refill this system in a row, based on current operating rules,” Udall said. “And I just don’t even remotely see that as possible.”
Udall is a co-author of research showing how the warming of the river is depleting streams, telling The Los Angeles Times “to think that these things would ever be refilled takes a kind of leap of faith that I don’t think, say.” have.’
“The past 23 years are the best lessons we have right now, and they should scare people off,” he shared.
Located in northern Arizona and extending into southern Utah, Lake Powell has been depleted to just 23 percent of full capacity and is approaching the point where Glen Canyon Dam would no longer be able to generate power. reported the news outlet.
This May 17 satellite image shows the impact of winter storms on Lake Powell
Incredible satellite images show how Lake Mead, believed to be headed for disastrously low water levels, has risen 14 meters in recent months due to historic winter storms. Shows the difference between the image taken on March 18 (left photo) and July 16 (right photo)
Despite the recent rise in water levels, experts say the basin could still experience drought in the future.
While the Rocky Mountains have already been hit by above-average snow cover this winter, scientists and water officials believe those in the Colorado River Basin should prepare for low reservoir levels for years to come.
Others believe the river’s great reservoirs will not be filled in “our lifetime,” the news outlet reported.
Scientists are therefore urging residents to limit their water consumption.
According to experts, California uses most of the river. Arizona started in the late 1990s and Nevada in the early 2000s – and now experts say ‘water use is maxed out’, SFGate reported.
“Every state is taking too much, and we need to cut back. And so there just isn’t enough,” said Bill Hasencamp, manager of Colorado River resources for the Metropolitan Water District in Southern California.
He predicted that even if you get ‘wet year’ after ‘wet year’ the demand is so high it still wouldn’t be able to be filled.’
The river’s flow has declined by about 20 percent over the past 23 years, due in part to rising temperatures and climate change, scientists say.