The
First Major Drought Of The 21st Century In the Southwest
Besides
flood control and power generation one of the more evident functions of
Hoover Dam is its capacity in a reservoir system that has so far
prevented the drought from laying waste to the agriculture business in
the southwest. Further growth  has also continued unabated and unaffected
by the threat of drought.
Cities like Las Vegas are on a drought alert and have responded with
watering restrictions and other measures such retrofitting municipal
parks and anywhere possible with a Xeriscape Upgrade. Las Vegas is still
a lush and green oasis city but they are using their water more wisely.
Cities throughout the Desert Southwest have adopted similar policies and
are adapting to the new conditions.
To show how these changes have effected the immediate area of Hoover Dam
we are able to draw on a resource of photos of Hoover Dam from 1) April
and May 1999, 2) February 20, 2002 and 3) August 30 2004. Generally the
photos used on this site for the Visitors Center are from February 2002,
this includes the Inside Hoover Dam photos.
The photos that we tended to use for this photo essay were the ones
which showed the most differences. Contrast is the theme of this
portrayal, the contrast between the past and the changing and uncertain
future. Hoover Dam with its mission makes that future much better and
more predictable.
|
| Photos |
Description |
| Lake
Mead Side Bathtub Ring |
This
page shows the Lake Mead side of Hoover Dam from almost exactly the same
angle at the same time of day, five and a half years apart. The
difference in water level at this point was 85 feet.
|
| Intake
Towers From Arizona Side |
Although
taken at different angles each picture shows the difference in the water
levels at the intake towers.
|
| Spillways
on the Arizona Side |
Here
we give more dimension to the level of water drop by looking at the
spillways that just 5 years ago had water running over them.
|
