Drought Information Statement for Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra Valid April 20, 2025 Issued By: WFO Las Vegas, NV Contact Information: nws.lasvegas@noaa.gov This product will be updated around May 15, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/VEF/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Light precipitation fell across parts of the Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra over the last 30 days, but made little improvement to the current drought situation. Drought conditions have negatively impacted native plants and wildlife in southern Nevada. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Areas around the Bill Williams River and Lake Mead. D3 (Extreme Drought): Most of Clark, Mohave, and Lincoln counties, central Nye County, eastern San Bernardino County, and Death Valley in Inyo County. D2 (Severe Drought): Esmeralda County, northern Lincoln County, sections of central Inyo and San Bernardino counties, and the Spring Mountains in Clark County. D1 (Moderate Drought): Western San Bernardino County, sections of central Inyo County, western Esmeralda County. D0 (Abnormally Dry): The Eastern Sierra, Owens Valley, and White Mountains in Inyo County. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: No widespread degradation was observed. No Change: The remainder of southern Nevada, southeastern California, and northwestern Arizona. Drought Improved: Isolated sections of eastern San Bernardino County. Precipitation A series of winter/spring systems moved through the region over the last 30 days. Most precipitation was light and fell in San Bernardino, Clark, and Mohave counties. Temperature Maximum temperatures over the last 7 days have been near to below normal for most of the forecast area. Maximum temperatures over the last 30 days have been near to above normal across the Mojave Desert. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Lake Mead is at 1,063.35 feet in elevation, or 33 percent full. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts Accumulation of invasive plants at Cathedral Gorge State Park poses a serious fire hazard. Other Impacts Bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park have been hit hard by a lack of surface water and sparse desert flora. Water hauls to man-made reservoirs known as guzzlers are occurring to help the sheep. The current density of sheep in the nearby Muddy Mountains is unsustainable. Deer and elk in Spring Valley State Park did not migrate from their usual spring and summer habitat due to a lack of winter rain and snowfall, which limits their food availability this spring and summer. Lack of precipitation has led to an increase in invasive species and a reduction in the yield and quality of native plants at Cathedral Gorge State Park. This also impacts biodiversity of native animals, insects, and microorganisms. Mitigation Actions Southern Nevada Water Authority switched to the spring landscape watering schedule. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Lake Mead is at 1,063.35 feet in elevation, or 33% full. Lake Mohave is at 643.67 feet in elevation, or 95% full. Lake Havasu is at 447.94 feet in elevation, or 93% full. The Bureau of Reclamation 24-month study indicates a decrease in Lake Mead this summer. Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu remain steady. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Most of the forecast area will be dry over the next seven days. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage. There is a 40 to 70% probability of above normal temperatures across the area through July 31, with the greatest probability in Mohave, Clark, and Lincoln counties. There is a 33 to 40% probability of below normal precipitation in the southern Great Basin. The remainder of the area has equal chances of above or below normal precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is expected to persist through July 31 for most of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southeastern California outside of the Eastern Sierra, Owens Valley, and White Mountains.