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• Nevada Water Law

In-state Water Resources

SNWA has a number of groundwater
permits and applications in Nevada.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has a number of groundwater permits and applications in southern and eastern Nevada.

• Garnet and Hidden Valleys
• California Wash Basin
• Three Lakes Valley and Tikaboo Valley
• Indian Spring Valley
• Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater
  • Coyote Spring Valley
  • Spring, Delamar, Dry Lake and Cave Valleys
  • Snake Valley
• Hydrological Studies

Garnet and Hidden Valleys

The Nevada State Engineer permitted a combined total of 2,200 acre-feet per year (AFY) to the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) in 2001 based on 1989 groundwater applications in these basins. The majority of these rights have been leased to dry-cooled power plants, which efficiently use Southern Nevada's scarce water resources. SNWA owns 25 percent interest in one of these facilities, the Silverhawk Generating Station.

California Wash Basin

In April 2002, the State Engineer permitted to SNWA 2,500 AFY of groundwater rights in the California Wash Basin. As part of the settlement agreement with the Moapa Band of Paiutes, which resolved regional water resource issues on Muddy River groundwater and surface water rights, the permitted rights, and other SNWA applications held in abeyance were transferred to the Moapa Band of Paiutes. SNWA is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to manage and develop water resources in the Muddy River and surrounding basins.

Three Lakes Valley (North and South) and
Tikaboo Valley (North and South)

In 2005, the State Engineer permitted 10,605 AFY to SNWA in Tikaboo and Three Lakes valleys. In 2006, the Sate Engineer approved some changes in the points of diversion. SNWA is working to develop options for the development of the permitted groundwater. In January 2008, SNWA and the Las Vegas Valley Water District entered into an agreement with the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe for a right-of-way across the reservation for a future pipeline.

Indian Spring Valley

In 2004, SNWA filed applications for 16,000 AFY of groundwater in Indian Spring Valley. The availability and development of a portion or all of this resource is subject to further research and analysis and future decision by the State Engineer.

Coyote Spring Valley

SNWA retains approximately 27,500 AFY of pending groundwater applications in Coyote Spring Valley. The State Engineer has issued Order 1169 requiring additional study on the effects of pumping existing rights in Coyote Spring Valley. Until that study is completed, the State Engineer will not make a decision on the pending applications.

Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater

SNWA has proposed a project to develop and convey groundwater from Delamar, Dry Lake, Cave, Spring and Snake valleys for use by SNWA member agencies in Clark County. The Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project would extend from the Las Vegas Valley to Spring and Snake valleys, and could convey up to 175,667 AFY - including capacity for Lincoln County based on a cooperative agreement.

Below is a brief description of the water rights that are part of this project. For more information, see the Groundwater Development Project section or the SNWA Water Resource Plan.

Hydrological Studies

SNWA has conducted extensive hydrological studies and monitoring reports related to in-state groundwater resources. View a list of studies and fill out a Groundwater Development Project Interest Form to request a copy of a study.

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