Lake Mead’s First Set of Recently Discovered Remains is Identified

Erndt’s remains were discovered at Lake Mead on May 7, 2002, in the Callville Bay area. Though his death was reported as a drowning, Clark County officials also said that Erndt’s exact cause of death has not been determined.

The process for identifying remains discovered at Lake Mead is complex. It includes taking DNA samples — which can be affected by time and environmental conditions — and comparing findings to information regarding people who have been reported missing, according to a press release from the county.

Because of three years of intense drought and two decades of long-term drought, parts of Lake Mead that were once underwater are now exposed and revealing long-submerged secrets. The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner continues investigating the identity of four other sets of human remains found at Lake Mead this spring.

Lake Mead is now at 28% of full capacity. This is its lowest level since it was first filled by the completion of the Hoover Dam in 1935. Two decades of slowed snow runoff into the Colorado River has been cited as a major contributory factor.

Lake Mead is the largest US reservoir. It provides water to nearly 20 million people in California, Nevada, Arizona, and some of Mexico. The lake was last considered full in 2000 when its water level was 1,214. It has fallen 174 feet since then, leaving an eerie white bathtub ring of calcium and other minerals formerly dissolved in the water along its walls.

“As water levels recede and fluctuate, it is possible that artifacts that we do and don’t know about may emerge, including human remains from previous missing person reports,” the park service wrote in a statement.

source

Related Stories:

NASA Confirms Launch Date for Its Massive Moon Rocket Sonam Bajwa: Acting and Dressing the Fashion Supernova ‘Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City’ S4: Bravo’s Release Date, Trailer & Updates Mannara Chopra and Munawar Faruqui Kiss – Actress Responds, No Truth to Claims of Kissing China Takes Incredible Close Up Shot of Mars’ Moon Phobos Sizzling Sensation: Disha Patani’s Red-Hot Look Ignites the Internet Nora Fatehi Dazzles in Bold Red Saree, Viral Video Sets Screens Ablaze! Watch