Comparison of Hoover Dam in 1941 vs. Today Reveals Stark Differences

The reservoir created by the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, feeds water to 25 million people across Western states and is the largest reservoir in the U.S. 

However, it's now at an all-time low, CNN reports. The water level dropped to 1,071.57 feet above sea level on June 9th, breaking a previous low established in 2016, and officials expect to declare the first-ever official water shortage.

According to Glen Canyon Institute, the Lake Mead reservoir will probably never fill again. Since it provides drinking water to Arizona, Nevada, and part of Mexico and generates electricity for parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada, the region is facing an environmental crisis due to drought, extreme heat, and fire risk.

The video embedded above shows a side-by-side comparison of the water level of Lake Mead today and what it looked like in 1941. Since 2000, the lake surface has dropped 140 feet, and the stark difference is clear as day. As a result, residents in the Southwest may be facing not just draught, but also a shortage of electricity.