Map Shows Data Centers Near Lake Mead Amid Dire Water Levels
Summary
Lake Mead, a key water reservoir in the U.S. Southwest, is experiencing very low water levels due to a long drought. Several large data centers that need a lot of water and power are located near Lake Mead, causing concern about their impact on the region’s limited water supply.Key Facts
- Lake Mead relies on the Colorado River, which provides water to about 40 million people and irrigates around 5 million acres of farmland.
- Data centers use a lot of water, mainly for cooling their equipment.
- There are over 4,300 data centers across the U.S., including about 70 in Nevada and many near Lake Mead.
- Google and Switch operate large data centers near Las Vegas, including Google's 750,000-square-foot Henderson facility.
- In 2024, 23 Southern Nevada data centers are estimated to use over 716 million gallons of water, enough for about 4,395 homes yearly.
- Local residents and officials in Boulder City have opposed new data center projects near Lake Mead, citing concerns about water use, energy demand, noise, and pollution.
- Lake Mead’s water level has dropped significantly from 1,086 feet in 2017 to about 1,056 feet in 2024 and is currently only 30% full.
- Declining water levels threaten power generation at Hoover Dam and raise worries about the long-term water supply in the region.
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