A crisis potentially facing millions of unaware Americans stunned CNN analysts Thursday who described the looming problem as "major" and "insane."
The problem? Two key U.S. reservoirs has fallen to a historic low, threatening the water supply for tens of millions of Americans, CNN reported.
Last week Lake Powell fell to 3,524 feet and Lake Mead to just under 1,043 feet, breaking a record set in March 2023, CNN's Bill Weir reported.
The Colorado River, which irrigates more than 5 million acres of farmland, generates electricity to power about 700,000 homes and provides water to 40 million people, could be impacted, said Weir.
"The main concern here is drinking water," Weir said. "It's been over-allocated – states are loath to give up their share. Lower basin states like Nevada have done a good job about conserving water, like ripping up lawns in the desert and really conserving it. They want other states to do the same – a lot of tension. They all blew past the federal deadline in February to come up with a new plan, so nobody knows what happens next."
Lake Powell is currently 23 percent full, at its lowest level on record for July, and Lake Mead is 27 percent full, less than a foot from its all-time low in July 2022.
"I am afraid to ask, but what is a worst case scenario here?" CNN's Kate Bolduan asked.
"So at a certain point it can no longer generate electricity and the dam is essentially becomes a dead pool," Weir replied. "So you can release a little bit of water, but the Colorado River would dry up entirely next summer if this happens, if we reach these warnings."
"That would be insane," Bolduan interjected.
"Exactly," Weir agreed, "This is a major, major problem, and because most people, they turn on the tap water comes out, they don't think about they're asked to conserve. Maybe don't wash your car on a hot day, but this is a ticking time bomb."
"Bill, you're freaking me out," added co-host Sara Sidner. "Sheesh!"
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