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Domestic Surplus
Lake Mead and Hoover Dam
In response to the severe drought in the Colorado River Basin, the Department of the Interior approved in 2007 the Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
Under the provisions for "Domestic Surplus," when Lake Mead's elevation is above 1,145 feet, all of the Southern Nevada Water Authority's (SNWA) customer demands will be met up to 400,000 acre-feet of water per year.
In the future and until the Interim Guidelines expire, SNWA will use domestic surplus water when it is available and needed to meet demands.