Lake Mead

Las Vegas has had a drought of almost a decade; Lake Mead is at a record low level.

The feds say if it is lower yet by the end of this year, a mandatory reduction in water supply to Nevada will be required.

see: Lake Mead article

Building a gleaming, water devouring city in the middle of the Mojave desert always seemed risky to me: what if they run low on water?

Then what?

There's a chance we'll find out.

If the feds limit supply, I wonder whether the pain will be born across the board, or will casinos get preferential treatment?

I can foresee an argument that their water should not be cut, given that they are the linchpin of the local economy.

I wonder who makes such a call?

Yes, this is very concerning. If the cost of water rises for casinos, they have to pass that cost on to the consumer.... If you thought VP pay tables were bad now....

I really think this is a non issue. Like everything, this is supply and demand. As supply decreases the prices will increase and there will be less demand. If the prices get too high, people will leave and the demand will decrease.

Having lived in Las Vegas for the last 25 years we have heard of this pending doom for so long it has become the boy that cried wolf.

they can pipe oil across the country why not water.

Quote: GWAE

they can pipe oil across the country why not water.

Because we won't let them have ours. :-)

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Because we won't let them have ours. :-)

You actually will let them have your's, once the price is right ;-)

Quote: TwoFeathersATL

You actually will let them have your's, once the price is right ;-)

Ok ok, that can have Flints water. heh..

Quote: GWAE

they can pipe oil across the country why not water.

Indeed.

It has always surprised me that there was never a concerted effort to design and build a huge aqueduct with pumping stations to send water from the Columbia River to the desert SW.

Oh sure, salmon need water, but it would be a simple thing to prohibit shipping water during times of low flow, and allow it when the flow is high enough.

Send the water south when there is excess in the River, which is often.

Hold it in new or existing reservoirs down south.

Really, I see no reason not to do it.

It would create a lot of jobs to build and maintain it, and substantial revenue as well.

Win-win.

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Ok ok, that can have Flints water. heh..

wait is that the city with lead in their water

Considering that just about 90 percent of Las Vegas water is recycled, it is no surprise that just a few weeks ago the Southern Nevada Water Authority announced a favorable outlook for at least a 20-year supply. That may help explain why a major master planned development of thousands of houses is proceeding between the former extent of development and the Paiute reservation.