# What do you think will happen when the water level at Lake Mead falls below 1050 feet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 11, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201 "2021-11-11T18:07:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/121 "2022-05-03T18:17:12Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Biden will pass a law calling for the creation of Lake Mini-Mead. This will involve building even more dams along the shorelines of the existing lake, but positioned such that the current volume of water will result in a smaller surface area, but deeper lake. > > Basically just squeeze the water into a smaller area. > > Lake Mini-Mead, you know it just makes sense! Actually, this isn’t the worst idea. You could get the same result just dumping rock or concrete into the deepest parts of the lake to displace water higher everywhere else. It would take an incredible amount of fill and permanently damage the lake’s ability to retain water should the level ever rise again, but it would immediately resolve the problem of water level getting too low for now. I couldn’t begin to estimate how much work it would be to actually do this. It could be as complicated as trucking in millions of tons of rubble from a remote site or it could be as simple as dynamiting a conveniently placed mountain and letting the resulting landslide fall into the lake. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/122 "2022-05-03T18:21:07Z")
Or, they could just place a straw lower into the lake, without compromising future capacity… > **[The Barge That Saved Folsom: Emergency Pumps Will Tap Shrinking Reservoir](https://deeply.thenewhumanitarian.org/water/articles/2015/08/20/the-barge-that-saved-folsom-emergency-pumps-will-tap-shrinking-reservoir)** > > SACRAMENTO BEE: Officials hope they won't need it, but this $3.5 million project could be a last resort for 60,000 people. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/123 "2022-05-03T18:21:49Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Yes, and it’s a large market. There are mountains of salt kept in the snow areas and they can run out in heavy winters. However, in some areas the content of that salt may be undesirable if there contaminants in it. My understanding is that they’re moving away from using salt on roads, because it corrodes bridges and roads and damages the plants. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/124 "2022-05-03T18:32:27Z")
On the few occasions where Pulaski County de-ices roads, I’ve seen sand. I presume that is chemically neutral and has no pesticides. It probably comes from dredging the Arkansas river. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/125 "2022-05-03T18:34:07Z")
Although the new thing is that, worldwide, there is a shortage of sand. [Here’s an article](https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a39880899/earth-is-running-out-of-sand/) from Popular Mechanics on this. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/126 "2022-05-03T18:43:16Z")
Jesus, we’ll be rich! ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/127 "2022-05-03T18:44:41Z")
I remember that Houghton Michigan used sand because the temperatures were too cold for salt to do much good. They had to do regular maintenance on the storm drains that were clogged with sand. After visiting a friend at Michigan Tech over spring break, it took several washings to get all of the sand out of my car’s undercarriage. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/128 "2022-05-03T18:46:19Z")
Getting back on topic, wasn’t there a concern years ago that Lake Mead would fill up with silt? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/129 "2022-05-03T18:52:17Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Salt flats, sure. Aquarium keepers don’t want that salt if it contains industrial and agricultural run-off products. I doubt that dumping contaminated salt into the open environment is a great idea anywhere. [Bonneville Salt Flats | Utah.com](https://www.utah.com/destinations/natural-areas/bonneville-salt-flats/) . > The flats include a variety of micro environments. In some spots the soil is so salty it prevents vegetation growth. These spots seem to be totally desolate. In other places you will find numerous kinds of plants and animals. Ponds and marshy areas can be found in spots near the edges of the flats and they provide critical habitat for plants and animals. > > The environment is fragile and needs to be treated with respect. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My understanding is that they’re moving away from using salt on roads, because it corrodes bridges and roads and damages the plants. And screws up water supplies, and rusts vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/130 "2022-05-03T19:04:11Z")
Yet more comment off the OP: I’ve spoken with hobbists who drain marine water onto their lawn and claim that the grass grows well. I don’t know if aquarium salt comes from sea water, or if it is made from chemicals. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/131 "2022-05-03T22:02:37Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I doubt that dumping contaminated salt into the open environment is a great idea anywhere. In this, are we considering all ocean water to be contaminated? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/132 "2022-05-03T22:21:43Z")
Could we not fill ocean going shipping vessels with salt, then sail them around the seas performing the equivalent of the euphamistic “crop dusting”? A ship that size full of salt, that would be the result of _lots_ of desalinated water, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/133 "2022-05-03T22:22:42Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > > I doubt that dumping contaminated salt into the open environment is a great idea anywhere. > > In this, are we considering all ocean water to be contaminated? If you dump a bunch of ocean water in a freshwater pond or lake, then yes, you are contaminating the fresh water. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/134 "2022-05-03T22:25:17Z")
But that’s completely orthogonal to the point. People were saying that the _salt_ is contaminated. If the salt is contaminated with salt, then you’d have a point here, but that doesn’t make any sense at all, does it? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/135 "2022-05-03T22:28:06Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > > doubt that dumping contaminated salt into the open environment is a great idea anywhere. > > In this, are we considering all ocean water to be contaminated? I was answering this, some of which I quoted: > [@TriPolar](#): > > > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > > > Dump it on the salt flats. Sell some of it to aquarium keepers. Forty pounds goes for $40.00. > > Salt flats, sure. Aquarium keepers don’t want that salt if it contains industrial and agricultural run-off products. I don’t know to what extent salt from any given source is contaminated; or whether the usual desalinization processes cause contamination. I was just pointing out that if something’s too contaminated to be sold, dumping it in the open environment isn’t a good thing to do with it. Excess salt is of course a problem in itself in most places; including many places that already have a problem with too much salt. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/136 "2022-05-03T22:30:26Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Could we not fill ocean going shipping vessels with salt, then sail them around the seas performing the equivalent of the euphamistic “crop dusting”? > A ship that size full of salt, that would be the result of _lots_ of desalinated water, eh? I was thinking along the same lines, however, there is still the resulting cost of running a ship to disperse salt at sea. I think any time you have to move the waste salt somewhere else, there will be an additional cost to desalinating the water, which is already kinda-sorta expensive to start with. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/137 "2022-05-03T22:32:40Z")
Ok, then sorry Las Vegas, if you want to live in a desert, your water is going to be expensive. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/138 "2022-05-03T22:34:48Z")
Anyway, as I was pointing out much earlier, desal is expensive, and for more reasons than just the energy input. Maybe we figure out what to do with the salt, maybe we just kick it down the road for future generations to worry about. Desalinating water for home use, drinking, washing, and maybe for some light industrial uses makes sense. Desalinating for agricultural purposes is going to be problematic, at best. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/139 "2022-05-03T22:55:24Z")
I don’t know where pretzel factories are concentrated. Maybe Milwaukee? Time they moved to Nevada. Vegas uses lots of water but I had read the system was well managed and the town had sensible restrictions. Guess those only go so far and can do so much. A lot of demand for only so much supply. But America is an innovative place. Maybe some smart folks will figure out something. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2022, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201/140 "2022-05-03T22:59:40Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I don’t know to what extent salt from any given source is contaminated; or whether the usual desalinization processes cause contamination. I was just pointing out that if something’s too contaminated to be sold, dumping it in the open environment isn’t a good thing to do with it. > > Excess salt is of course a problem in itself in most places; including many places that already have a problem with too much salt. Sorry, I was mistaken about the salt flats content, apparently it is 90% common NaCl. Not the kind of place to start contaminating. Someplace like open pit borax mines in CA would be a good place for it though. Desalination removes water and leaves everything else behind. There must be tons of nitrates from fertilizers mixed in with who knows what else. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201.md?page=8)