KGUN 9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & SportsLow San Carlos Lake could doom fish population
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Associated Press - January 2, 2010 1:44 PM ET
PHOENIX (AP) - The water level on eastern Arizona's San Carlos Lake is so low the irrigation district that takes water from the lake for deliveries to Pinal County farmers has turned off the spigot.
As the lake empties because of persistent drought conditions, authorities worry that thousands of fish could died.
The water level now sits at less than 5 percent of what it was a year ago and is nearing its lowest point in nearly 20 years.
In 1976 and 1977, the reservoir dried up entirely, resulting in millions of dead fish. But the water isn't likely to completely disappear this winter unless the weather turns abruptly warm and dry.
The San Carlos Irrigation Project, the federal overseer of the reservoir, is hoping for a good, soaking winter storm to help replenish the lake, about 25 miles east of Globe.
Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
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