LAS VEGAS (AP) — Researchers are working to better measure how much water is lost to evaporation at the nation's two largest reservoirs as part of effort they say could lead to new water management strategies.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported last week that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Desert Research Institute have teamed up to study evaporation at Lake Powell, building upon ongoing research at Lake Mead.
The researchers deployed floating platforms with remote sensors on Lake Powell last year to measure water temperature, weather conditions and other variables.
The scientists hope to develop a more accurate system to estimate evaporation.
Bureau hydrologic engineer Jed Parker says there's little water managers can do to stop evaporation, but more accurate measurements could lead to better water budgeting on the Colorado River.