Dropping Lake Mead levels prompting further outdoor water conservation Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Jason Harvey/KTNV and last updated 2021-05-02 23:01:10-04 LAS VEGAS (KTNV) â A push to conserve outdoor water use in the valley. It comes as Lake Mead could possibly see water levels at their lowest point in decades, likely causing the federal government to declare a water shortage. The shores of Lake Mead are retreating little by little, as a two-decade drought continues to evaporate more water. This yearâs winter mountain snow was not enough to thoroughly replenish the lake.