Las Vegas Wash

The Las Vegas Wash is the primary channel through which the valley's excess water returns to Lake Mead. The water flowing through the wash comprises less than 2 percent of the water in Lake Mead and consists of urban runoff, shallow groundwater, stormwater and releases from the valley's three water reclamation facilities.

The lower wash stretches 12 miles from the southeast part of the Las Vegas Valley to Lake Mead, entering the lake at Las Vegas Bay. Its once-plentiful wetlands helped polish urban flows on their way to Lake Mead. However, erosion in the wash has reduced wetlands acreage from a peak of approximately 2,000 acres to about 200 acres.

Enhancement and management plan

In 1998 at the request of its citizens advisory committee, the Water Authority reached out to the community in an effort to develop solutions to the problems affecting the wash. This led to the formation of the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee (LVWCC), a panel representing more than two dozen local, state and federal agencies, businesses, environmental groups, and private citizens. The committee quickly developed a long-term management plan for the wash. At the plan's core were specific actions aimed at protecting and enhancing the wash and surrounding wetlands.

Making progress

In just a few years, the LVWCC and its member agencies have taken significant strides toward improving the Las Vegas Wash. Early efforts have focused on reducing the channelization of the wash because reducing erosion will help more wetlands form. Accomplishments to date include:

• Constructed 11 erosion control structures

• Stabilized more than four miles of the wash's banks

• Revegetated more than 180 acres with trees, shrubs and emergents

• Removed more than 500,000 pounds of trash from adjacent areas

• Completed extensive wildlife and water quality monitoring programs

• Hosted and/or participated in numerous volunteer events
  
  
• Built or improved more than two miles of trails
  
  
• Implemented an invasive species management program

LVWCC member Clark County Parks & Community Services also is making excellent progress on the Clark County Wetlands Park, where it has created a temporary visitors center and picnic areas. That agency continues to move forward with plans for a permanent visitors center, additional trails and other amenities.

For more information about the Las Vegas Wash, visit lvwash.org.