Megadrought threatens Glen Canyon Dam's ability to store Colorado River water
By
Jonathan Thompson
Summary
The article discusses the precarious situation of Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, which was built in 1956 to create Lake Powell as a water savings account for the Upper Basin states. Its main purpose was to store water during wet years for use during dry years and ensure compliance with the Colorado River Compact. However, a megadrought on the Colorado River has put the dam in a dangerous position, threatening its ability to function as intended.
Source
bskyMegadrought threatens Glen Canyon Dam's ability to store Colorado River waterbuff.lyKey quotes
· 3 pulledIn 1956, construction of Glen Canyon Dam began.
The dam would generate hydropower, promote recreation and keep silt from filling up Lake Mead, but its main purpose was to create Lake Powell to serve as a water savings account and even out the Colorado River's fluctuating flows.
By storing water during wet years for use during dry ones, it would help the Upper Basin states comply with the Colorado River Compact and ensure that the river's flow at Lees Ferry was not depleted 'below an aggregate of 75,000,000 acre-feet for any period of ten consecutive ye
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