The Las Vegas Wash is located in the southeast portion of the Las Vegas Valley. The new visitor center is at the far east end of Tropicana along the Nature Reserve.

For more information, contact the Las Vegas Wash Project Team of the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee at 822-3300 or check out the Web site at lvwash.org.

The water that forms the Las Vegas Wash comes from stormwater runoff, shallow groundwater, urban runoff and highly-treated wastewater. It has an average daily flow of 153 million gallons and is 12 miles in length. The wash discharges into the Las Vegas Bay in Lake Mead.

Surrounding the Las Vegas Wash is the wetlands area. Protecting and increasing wetlands is important for several reasons. As water slowly flows through the wetlands, sediment and other contaminants are captured by the dense vegetation, essentially polishing the water before it reaches the lake. While less than 2 percent of the water in Lake Mead comes from the Las Vegas Wash, the wetlands play an important role in source water protection. The wetlands also serve as a habitat for plants and animals, including some rare and threatened species. Finally, the wetlands provide recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors.

The increasing flow of water down the Las Vegas Wash —amounting to more than 50 billion gallons a year—has weakened the surrounding soil. Look for evidence of erosion, such as a central, deep narrow channel, fallen earth and undercuts of the wash banks. Many varieties of birds, reptiles, rodents and other animals make their homes in the wash. Look for evidence of animals, such as droppings and tracks. There are tamarisk (salt cedar) groves, a cattail marsh and many other plants to observe, count and compare.

Take water samples from the wash back to the classroom to test for salinity and observe organisms under magnification. Collect soil samples for comparison to soil found on the school grounds. Compare structures and the number of desert plants and marsh plants within a measured area. Count the birds observed within a 3-minute time span. Record observations by drawing and writing. Students must be careful at this site. Be sure to provide gloves when taking samples and watch for eroded banks.