Enormous American flag draped over Hoover Dam as Lake Mead endures severe drought

Devastatingly low water levels at Lake Mead are now the backdrop of a massive patriotic display on Hoover Dam that was recently unveiled to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. 

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At the heart of the display is a 300-by-150-foot, 2,000-pound American flag that has been draped over the dam and illuminated by red, white and blue LED lighting. According to a news release published by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the display is meant to launch several weeks of patriotic celebrations as part of the America250 initiative. 

The display, which utilizes about 2,250 amperes of Hoover Dam’s hydroelectric power, will be activated every evening until July 4. Behind it, Lake Mead continues to experience a dismal year. Severe drought throughout the Southwest has left the lake at the lowest level it’s seen in years, and recent algae blooms have caused portions of the lake to become potentially toxic. 

In April, the Bureau of Reclamation announced a plan to reduce water releases from Lake Powell as water storage levels declined along the Colorado River — a move that could potentially reduce hydroelectric power output at Hoover Dam by 40%. In the same announcement, the bureau said that recreational boating at Lake Mead could be limited this summer due to low water levels. 

A ceremony to launch the America250 display at Hoover Dam took place over Memorial Day weekend and included remarks from the governors of Nevada and Arizona. Genevieve Johnson, the Bureau of Reclamation’s acting regional director, also spoke at the event. 

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Several federal agencies are listed as ex officio partners of America250, including the Supreme Court, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Justice. Earlier this year, the Trump administration launched its own 250th anniversary initiative called Freedom 250, which operates as a subsidiary of the National Park Foundation, the Nation reported.