Lake Mead Elevation Currently 1048 Feet Above Sea Level' - At 1035' Its Generating Capacity Falls By 70%

[hunter]

3. We can't change physical reality.

𝑃=𝜌𝑄𝑔Δℎ

Power output (P) is proportional to the difference between the inlet elevation and the outlet elevation ( Δℎ )

The turbines at Hoover Dam are optimized for a certain Δℎ. Conceivably turbines could be installed or modified to operate at a lower elevation of water behind the dam but the amount of electricity produced would not offset the cost of this modification. It's much less trouble to build natural gas fueled power plants.

In any case, Hoover dam hasn't been a major source of power in recent years and the utilities have already accounted for this. For comparison, in recent times Hoover Dam's total electrical output is about one-tenth that of Arizona's Palo Verde nuclear power station.