|
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. Decades ago, the flows of the Wash created more than 2,000 acres of wetlands, but by the 1990’s, only about 200 acres of wetlands remained. The dramatic loss of vegetation reduced both the Wash’s ability to support wildlife and serve as a natural water filter.
Restoration and management plan
Watch
a video about the Las Vegas Wash. 6 min 8 sec. |
|
In 1998, the Las Vegas
Wash Coordination Committee (LVWCC) was formed. The committee consists
of a panel representing more than two dozen local, state and federal agencies,
businesses, environmental groups and private citizens.
The committee developed a long-term management plan for
the Las Vegas Wash for protecting and enhancing the wash and surrounding
wetlands. Accomplishments to date include:
- Constructed erosion-control structures to stop damage caused by floods
- Stabilized the wash's banks by planting thousands of trees and shrubs
- Revegetated with trees, shrubs and emergents
- Removed hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash from adjacent areas
- Built or improved walking trails
- Completed extensive wildlife and water quality monitoring programs
|
