minutes and it just gets better. >> reporter: nick and his friends spend most every weekend on lake meade. he says they've grown accustom to the lake's ups and downs. >> reporter: you must feel like you're on a yo-yo sometimes. >> sometimes it goes down so fast you can almost feel it. >> reporter: while the lake is down there's been above average moisture this year upstream in colorado. in the fall they expect lake meade to go up some, but just some. what's your best day out here? >> about a five-mile-an-hour wind, a hundred degrees, barbecue, have fun, all of our friends just have a ball. >> reporter: and that's really the message lake meade lovers want to pass along. the lake is not what it once was, but they're more than happy to make the best of what's left. harry smith, nbc news, lake meade. >>> and we're back in a moment with what we're learning tonight about sleep, specifically who's getting the most of it and a big surprise about the city that never sleeps. ♪ i want to wake up in a city that doesn't sleep ♪ >>> unaccustomed as we are with disagreeing with frances albert, it turns

near the water anymore. >> i think we're past the point of recovery. >> reporter: when it's full, lake meadmanmade reservoir in the nation. businesses and vital farmland. >> it delivers water to the bread basket of the southwest. >> reporter: but that supply is dwindling. the lake is at its lowest level since 1937 when it was created with the completion of the hoover dam. >> we're at a record low right now and we are experiencing changing conditions because of that. >> reporter: there are parts of this dried out lake bottom that looks like the surface of the moon but data from a new study indicates a much bigger problem could be unfolding below the surface. >> the water security of the western united states is a far greater risk than we've ever realized. >> reporter: scientists say it's six or seven times more severe than lake mead. >> the groundwater is quietly disappearing. >> reporter: but those who use the lake are not. even at an historic low. >> it was fabulous. the water was like glass. >> reporter: people are still pouring into the national recreation area. >> once you get on the wa

watersorado pours its .nto lake mead await by downstream users.ater is released by the powerplant to irrigate over 1.25 million acres of desert land. generate hydroelectric energy and provide various other multipurpose benefits. the clear waters of opened up a vast recreational vacation land for america. millions beat pass to this one time wilderness along the colorado river to picnic, go wim, and fish.-- hoover dam and its powerplant work around the clock to serve water and power needs of the pacific southwest. water from lake mead passing into the intake powers falls over 500 feet to spin the giant turbine wheel and then discharge the river. this action is repeated at downstream reclamation dams. transformers step up the voltage as it comes from the generators. lines carry this power up over the powerhouse room to the switch yard. it is transmitted over lines across the desert. the river flows southward. along the way, man diverts from the controlled stream to sustain his prosperous way of life. 67 miles downstream, davis dam reregulate the colo

the colorado pours its waters into lake meade named for dr. elwood meade.ing calmly behind the dam they await

. >> most of the water comes from lake mead completed in the 1930s with the completion of hoover dam.t bottles up water from the colorado river and has reliably provided 98% of las vegas's water for decades. bright. >> 2012 and 2013 two were two of the driest years on record. >> the white band is the water mark left from better days with such dismissal water levels, the pressure is on for the water authority to secure more water for the city. the first strategy has focused on the lake. lake mead currently tops out at about 1,100 feet above sea level with two intake pipes pumping water to las vegas. if dry conditions continue, the piepdz will be above the water line, making pumping water impossible. at a cost of $817 million, the authority will build a third intake sucking water from near the bottom of the lake. it's an expensive, but the water authority says reliable line to show what the city's lengths will go. a pipeline that would access groundwater in snake valley and suck the water out from under residents there. >> you know, obviously, southern nevada needs water and they need t

right now it's only 35% full, lake mead. and then over here, again, more closeup picture of the docks. >> wow. this should be floating off. >> yep. >> these should be -- >> they should be filled with boats. no longer there. and then over here, again, incredible picture of the dock, the water bed totally dried up. you can't seen see water anywhere in the distance, and again, buoy that used to tell boats to come in, no boats allowed now. >>> investigators in new york say they're reviewing a second video of saturday's deadly crash involving nascar champ tony stewart. we showed you this yesterday. that driver, kevin ward, jr., walk only the track. witness says he was angry with stewart for clipping his car and causing it to spin out. so ward goes to confront stewart. we won't show you what happens next too much for afternoon television. but stewart's car fishtails and hits ward. his body beneath the car for a few seconds, then thrown about 50 yards. the sheriffs says an autopsy showed ward died of massive blunt trauma to the hea

the colorado pours its waters into lake meade named for dr. elwood meade.g calmly behind the dam they await users. served municipal and industrial needs of the pacific southwest, generate hydro electric energy and provide various other multi-purpose benefits. the clear waters have opened up the fast, new recreational fish and wildlife vacation land for america. picnic, go boating, swim, fish, and enjoy these important out door recreation products. hoover dam worked around the clock to serve water and power needs. falls over 500 feet through the spin stocks to spin the giant turbine wheels and then discharge to the river. this action is completed at downstream dams. transformers step up hoover dam voltage as it comes from the generators. lines carry this power up over the powerhouse roof to the switch yard. there it is transmitted over lines across the desert. the river flows south ward. along the way man diverts from the controlled scream to sustain his prosperous way of life. 67 miles downstream davis down reregulated the colorado's flow releasing water th

next time you are sitting at the computer, search lake meade images, and you'll be able to sample biges of a lake that looks like a slowly draining bathtub. daniel sumner because sit a regional drought, am i right in assuming that california can't rely on its neighbors for help with this one? >> that's right. almost all of the water used in california falls on california as snow or rain. we get a little water out of the california that goes into the far southern agriculture, and a bit of water into the metropolitan, but most of the water -- almost all of the water here in california is in the form of snow or rain here. historically that was sufficient. there was never really enough. there has been water fights for decades. but it was sufficient to get by. and for a growing and vibrant economy. >> peter glick right now there's debates in the legislature about what to do, there is a measure going on the ballot in november, what do these things provide for and are they the right medicine? >> the drought has opened the door to a much more engaged conversation about water in general. we ha

hardest hit, lake meade. if the history-making drought goes on big water consumers like california will find severe rationing ahead. >>> a huge victory for partially paralyzed olympic swimmer amy van dyken-rouen. >> i feel good. >> and she did it. the six-time gold medalist taking her first steps since becoming paralyzed from the waist down after an accident three months ago. she did it with the help of a walker and a device attached to her lelgs. on the "today" show, she said she's experienced feeling below her waist giving her hope she will one day walk again. she's now home. >>> renewed hope for treating children with autism. scientists found that a drug that restores healthy connections also reverses autistic-like behaviors such as avoiding social interaction. according to the latest government estimates, 1 in 60 children in the united states has a form of autism. >>> there's a florida woman who ordered a coffee from her starbucks drive-thru that she offered to get the drink for the stranger in the car be

lake meade has dropped to 1,080 feet above sea level almost the width of a football field. in 1983 it was 1,225 feet. the lake is crucial providing drinking water to seven states. time for a look at today's weather. here's nbc's meteorologist bill karins. >> we've had epic rain from detroit twos days ago to baltimore yesterday, the jersey shore last night and now up through long island. crazy numbers. this isn't like a hurricane or anything. it's just amazing. 6 1/2 inches at the baltimore airport, one location in married reported over 10 inches of rain in a 24-hour period and now look what's happened. this is the news, we showed you the pictures on long island. 11.5 inches of rain since midnight. that's almost a foot of rain since midnight out on areas of long island and new york city. there are cars stuck, submerged. that's the picture we showed you of the southern state parkway on long island. crazy stuff. now we also have flash flood watches in effect for almost all of utah, western half of colorado, and a portion there from phoenix over towards almost into palm springs.

lake meade. it's the nation's largest reservoir.t's the history-making drought goes, on big water consumers like california will find severe rationing ahead. >>> a huge victory for partially paralyzed olympic swimmer amy van dyke. >> walking on a prayer. >> she did, all right. the six-time gold medalist taking her first step since becoming paralyzed from the waist down. after an atv accident left less than three months ago she did it with the help of a walker and what appears to be a bionic device attached to her legs. in an interview on the "today" show van dyken says she has experienced feelings below her waist giving her hope she will someday walk again. she's now home where she will continue her intense therapy. >>> renewed hope for treating children with autism. scientists found that a drug that restores health where i connections in the brain in lab myself also reverses autistic-like behaviors such as avoiding social interaction. according to the latest government estimate, one in 68 children in the united states has a form of

the run-off from heavy rain washed out sections of a road around lake mead closing it. g it to close as well. it is expected to be open today. meantime the sinkhole on long island, new york, one of the big reminders from this week's historic rainfall. said to be 12 feet deep there. the crater caused by a pipe that burst because of pressure from a nearby creek well over its banks. >> one area of long island received three months of rain in just a few hours. >> today, heavy rain will pound much of the country from montana to new mexico, across the midwest, into minnesota. other than a few showers in the south florida area, and northern new england, most other spots will be sunny, dry and hot today. >> it will be scorching across the southwest. with temperatures mostly in the high 90s. but almost everywhere else. expect more moderate readings in the mid to high 80s. >> and outrage over the shooting death of an unarmed missouri teenager is rippling across the country with rallies in dozens of cities. marchers in new york, peacefully chanted, hands up, don't shoot. the temper

. >> reporter: flooding in lake mead outside las vegas covered roads with dirt and debris. around. >> so i just don't have no work today. i will just go home. >> reporter: at the las vegas boat harbor, the storm severely damage the the docks. >> even in the harbor it was pouring and, the docks started to break apart. the roof started to fall apart. everybody rushed into the restaurant. >> reporter: in the east those in maine spent the day cleaning up. after a half a foot of rain fell over night in portland. >> i have been in some pretty bad weather, but to have six inches of rain in the course of a couple hours and to see how fast this parking lot just filled up with something i have never seen before. >> reporter: and on long island, damage from those 13 inches of rain in just one night, a huge sinkhole still waiting to be filled. >> and climate researchers say these severe rainfall events signal a new normal in the u.s. caused by climate change. michelle, devin. >> josh, so much rain, obviously, helping the drought conditions in the west. is there any other silver lining

the colorado pours its waters into lake meade named for dr. elwood meade. lying calmly behind the dam they await users. served municipal and industrial needs of the pacific southwest, generate hydro electric energy and provide various other multi-purpose benefits. the clear waters have opened up the fast, new recreational fish and wildlife vacation land for america. picnic, go boating, swim, fish, and enjoy these important out door recreation products. hoover dam worked around the clock to serve water and power needs. falls over 500 feet through the spin stocks to spin the giant turbine wheels and then discharge to the river. this action is completed at downstream dams. transformers step up hoover dam voltage as it comes from the generators. lines carry this power up over the powerhouse roof to the switch yard. there it is transmitted over lines across the desert. the river flows south ward. along the way man diverts from the controlled scream to sustain his prosperous way of life. 67 miles downstream davis down reregulated the colorado's flow releasing wat

down on lake mead boulevard, frontier boulevard, all those names. my little life now, we never had a home here that we owned. they rented a house in magnesium. i had to go the back way through the desert. my wife and i, we have been together all those many years, i have fond memories of henderson nevada -- henderson, nevada. i can't get out of my mind the first am i really saw her. she was out in front of her car in short shorts washing the car. my wife, every time i see here, you see her dressed as she is very i see her in those shorts. thank you. [laughter] [applause] >> that's it. >> thank you. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> a kidnapped journalist being held by an al qaeda group is released today. the associated press reports that he is currently in custody of a representative. days after a video is released by the american group isis. killing journalist james foley. for to the sears, ash -- >> monday on c-span, a debate over scottish independence. then on tuesda

this left lake meade with record low water levels. number one state-running out of water, we just mentioned it, califolf of the golden state is in exceptional drought situation with nearly 100% of the state in severe drought. the again the situation is only getting worse. three months ago only one quarter had that distinction. other states in trouble, new mexico, arizona, even after recent flooding. >>> later in the show, a "top chef" winner joins me on the plaza with end of summer grilling recipes. you want to see that. >>> next will the iphone 6 be out by christmas? we have latest report that claims the launch of the popular phone may be delayed. you will want to know about. ♪ gerri: latest developments in a story we brought you not too long ago. the maker of wearable fitness tracking devices is responding to harsh criticism from senator chuck schumer. fitbit said it never sold personal date to advertisers and clarified its privacy policy which prohibits it. schumer has called for federal rules to help consumers protect their data f

this left lake meade with record low water levels. number one state-running out of water, we just mentioned it, california. more than half of the golden state is in exceptional drought situation with nearly 100% of the state in severe drought. the again the situation is only getting worse. three months ago only one quarter had that distinction. other states in trouble, new mexico, arizona, even after recent flooding. >>> later in the show, a "top chef" winner joins me on the plaza with end of summer grilling recipes. you want to see that. >>> next will the iphone 6 be out by christmas? we have latest report that claims the launch of the popular phone may be delayed. you will want to know about. ♪ you knso i get invitedpeople have saved with progressive, to quite a fewfamily g. heck, i saved dith here a fortune you make a mighty finesus, m'l. i'm nosaying mark's thrifty. let's just say, i savehim $519, and it certainly didn't go toward that ng. am i right [ laughs [ dancmusic playing ] so visit progrsive.com today. i call this one "the

this is an outdoor shooting range near hoover dam, near lake mead, outside las vegas. they specialize in shooting machine guns and specialty weapons. so when you go there, as a family, and you take your child, you know what they're going to be shooting. >> this is the question that at least this was first on my mind, how can you have a 9-year-old girl -- i totally get it, guns rights, you can lawfully shoot a gun. but at 9? is she big enough, strong enough, tall enough? >> she looked pretty frail, right? and that would be for a gun expert. what you're driving at is there are weapons for children. there are guns for children. remember, bb guns? >> an uzi? >> but this is a submachine pistol. >> and so no charges. we just learned, no charges. >> we have just confirmed, there will be no charges at all in this case, according to the mojave county sheriff's department. it's going to be an investigation by osha now, which traditionally, brooke, is accidents in the workplace. and so this instructor, charles vacca, who died, 39 years old, we believe he's a young married man. he

it's enough water to fill lake mead twice.ught could cost california's economy $2 billion. 17 thousands of the state's farm jobs are expected to be lost and cut. the high temperatures have also caused a massive fish dieoff in southern california. example number four. last week warm, new rient-rich waters drove droves of anchovies. the fish used up all the oxygen and suffocated themselves. workers had to kleeb thousands of dead fish from the harbor. the stench was reportedly overwhelmi overwhelming. you can only imagine. we have another example, meanwhile, wildfires are raging out of control in the western portion of the united states. three states fighting wildfires are now declared emergencies. california, oregon and washington. washington state have all declared emergencies because of raging fires. roughly 180 wildfires are burning across this country right now. in july, washington saw the largest wildfire in the state's history. firefighters in washington are still battling numerous fires. one of the fires doubled in size t