The Pursuit of Sustainable & Reliable
Water Supplies in the Desert
The Las Vegas Story
Richard B. HolmesSouthern Nevada Water Authority
February 16, 2010
SOUTHERN NEVADA
Presentation Outline
• Early Las Vegas Valley: Water Resources
• Formation of the Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Water Resource Plans in the 1990’s and early 2000’s
• Current Realities: Drought, Climate Change, and Sustainability
• Current Priorities: Conservation, Diversification of Resources and Regional Partnerships
• Southern Nevada Water Authority’s 2009 Water Resource Plan
“The Rush is Only Just Commencing.”Las Vegas Age, May 1905
Water Use 1905 – Present
Over the years, Southern Nevada has become increasingly dependent on
Colorado River supplies.
1950 – 47,000
1960 – 116,000
1970 – 270,000
1980 – 444,000
1990 – 800,000
Population
Development History
2000 – 1.3 million2008 – 2.0 million
1920 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008Pre-1905 1905
Early inhabitants came to Las Vegas because of its abundant water supplies.
Las Vegas – Early Settlement
1920 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008Pre-1905 1905
Las Vegas – Early Settlement
Even early settlers recognized the value of conservation.
Photo courtesy of UNLV Special Collections.
1920 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008Pre-1905
A railroad resulted in the formation of the privately owned Las Vegas Land and Water Company.
1905
Las Vegas - 1905
1920 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008Pre-1905
Nevada received its Colorado River allocation; there was no projected use for this water at the time.
1905
Nevada
AZ
CA
CO
WYNM
UT
Las Vegas – 1920s
1920 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008Pre-1905 1905
Las Vegas gained popularity as a tourist destination.
Las Vegas – 1950s
90 % of all water comes from local groundwater supplies.
1920 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008Pre-1905 1905
Colorado River water delivery facilities became operational.
The Colorado River is expected to provide Las Vegas an ample water supply until the middle of the 21st century.
Las Vegas – 1970s
1920 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008Pre-1905 1905
The Colorado River was estimated to be fully used by the early 2000s.
Las Vegas – 1990s
Presentation Outline
• Early Las Vegas Valley: Water Resources
• Formation of the Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Water Resource Plans in the 1990’s and early 2000’s
• Current Realities: Drought, Climate Change, and Sustainability
• Current Priorities: Conservation, Diversification of Resources and Regional Partnerships
• Southern Nevada Water Authority’s 2009 Water Resource Plan
1920 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008Pre-1905 1905
0
0.02
0.04
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
Popu
latio
n (i
n M
illio
ns)
Major Issues
• Competition for Colorado River water
• No coordinated conservation plan
Las Vegas – 1990s
“Super water agency taking shape.”Las Vegas Sun, May 1991
Southern Nevada Water Authority
Southern Nevada’s water resources are consumed primarily by landscape and
cooling
Indoor water use has negligible impactDEBIT
CREDIT
60%
Return-Flow Credits
The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) was formed by cooperative agreement (NRS 277) in
1991 to address Southern Nevada’s unique water needs on a regional basis
Regional Coordination
Regional Facilities
Water Conservation
Las Vegas – 1990s
Presentation Outline
• Early Las Vegas Valley: Water Resources
• Formation of the Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Water Resource Plans in the 1990’s and early 2000’s
• Current Realities: Drought, Climate Change, and Sustainability
• Current Priorities: Conservation, Diversification of Resources and Regional Partnerships
• Southern Nevada Water Authority’s 2009 Water Resource Plan
“Nevada to be granted surplus river water.”Las Vegas Sun, December 2000
1. Interim surplus (through 2016)2. Clark County groundwater 3. Arizona Demonstration Project4. Arizona Groundwater Bank5. Las Vegas Valley shallow aquifer6. Muddy River7. Virgin River8. Southern Nevada Groundwater Bank9. Colorado River transfers
1
2
34 7
85
9
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
2002 2010 2018 2026 2034 2042 2050
Interim Surplus
Existing Resources(Colorado River)
2000 Resource Plan
Wat
er (a
cre-
feet
)Las Vegas – Early 2000s
• Intended as a bridge until other long-term resources could be developed.
• Surplus volumes available based on Lake Mead water levels.
• Meanwhile, SNWA aggressively pursues other resources:•Conservation
•Water banking
•Exchanges with other states
•Desalination
Interim Surplus
Las Vegas – Early 2000s
Presentation Outline
• Early Las Vegas Valley: Water Resources
• Formation of the Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Water Resource Plans in the 1990’s and early 2000’s
• Current Realities: Drought, Climate Change, and Sustainability
• Current Priorities: Conservation, Diversification of Resources and Regional Partnerships
• Southern Nevada Water Authority’s 2009 Water Resource Plan
Drought takes holdon the Colorado River…
Las Vegas – Early 2000s
1,080
1,120
1,160
1,200
1,240
1999 2000 2001 2002
Las Vegas – Early 2000s
Lake Mead water level plunges…
Las Vegas – Early 2000s
Interim Surplus availability becomes uncertain…
1. Interim surplus (through 2016)2. Clark County groundwater 3. Arizona Demonstration Project4. Arizona Groundwater Bank5. Las Vegas Valley shallow aquifer6. Muddy River7. Virgin River8. Southern Nevada Groundwater Bank9. Colorado River transfers
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
2002 2010 2018 2026 2034 2042 2050
Interim Surplus?
Existing Resources(Colorado River)W
ater
(acr
e-fe
et)
96%
Lake Mead, 2009Lake Mead, 2000
COLORADO RIVER DROUGHT
42%
Lake Mead, 2009Lake Mead, 2009
COLORADO RIVER DROUGHT
COLORADO RIVER DROUGHT
59%
25%
53% 51%
73%68%
102%105%
62%
Normal
The 10-year historical average inflow to the Colorado River system was 69% of normal.
88%
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Historical and Forecast Lake Mead Elevation
Source: Bureau of Reclamation, December 2007 and July 2008
Shortage HistoricalForecast Jul-08
1,025
1,075
1,125
1,175
1,225
Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04 Jan-06 Jan-08 Jan-10
End
of M
onth
Ele
vatio
n (fe
et) Top of Spillway
Las Vegas – Current
Climate Change in the Colorado River Basin
“Imminent transition to a more arid climate in southwestern North America” Seager et al (April 2007)
“Climate variability and change, together with increasing development pressures, will result in drought impacts that are beyond the institutional experience in the region”Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (August 2008)
• Conservation
• Innovation
• Partnerships
CLIMATE CHANGE
The uncertainties posed by climate change will require us to use many of the same tools that have allowed us to successfully address water resource challenges over the last decade.
Presentation Outline
• Early Las Vegas Valley: Water Resources
• Formation of the Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Water Resource Plans in the 1990’s and early 2000’s
• Current Realities: Drought, Climate Change, and Sustainability
• Current Priorities: Conservation, Diversification of Resources and Regional Partnerships
• Southern Nevada Water Authority’s 2009 Water Resource Plan
Conservation was Southern Nevada’s first response to drought.
2003: Implemented drought plan
2004: Realized 25% conservation goal
2005: Adopted new conservation goal
2008: Realized 250 GPCD goal
2009: Adopted new goal (199 GPCD by 2035)
LOCAL RESPONSE - CONSERVATION
Water consumption decreased by nearly 21 billion gallons between 2002 & 2008, despite a
population increase of 400,000 during that span.
EDUCATIONWATER
PRICING
REGULATION INCENTIVES
17
Drought Plan
Las Vegas – Early 2000s
Year-round watering schedules
Turf limitations
Golf course water budgets
Water waste enforcement
Conservation rates
Education and outreach
18
Conservation Policies and Programs
Las Vegas – Early 2000s
• Provides rebates to customers that replace turf with water-smart landscaping
• Nearly 142 million square-feet converted since program inception
• Over 7.9 billion gallons being saved annually
Las Vegas – Early 2000s
Conservation Policies and Programs
1990 - 2008 Gallons Per Capita Per Day (GPCD) Water Usage
Water Conservation Achievements
347 344 339 337 329 327 329 322 317 315 315 318 314294
274 269 264 255 249
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Previous Goal Attained: 250 GPCD by 2010
New Goal: 199 GPCD by 2035
Nevada Consumptive Use without Recharge
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009prelim.
Wat
er U
se (A
cre-
feet
)
271,000 264,000 264,000
325,000
279,000
Southern Nevada’s consumptive water use declined about 26 billion gallonsbetween 2002 and 2009, despite the fact that there were about 400,000 new
residents.
261,000265,000245,000
Cave Valley
Dry Lake Valley
Delamar Valley
Spring Valley
Snake Valley
Coyote Spring Valley
Resource Diversification
Current Priorities
The Seven Basin states have worked over the last decade to implement innovative water solutions for the Colorado River.
• Rules for Surplus
• Shortage sharing
• Coordinated management
REGIONAL RESPONSE - INNOVATION
Regional Partnerships
Arizona water bank
California water bank
Augmentation Study
System conservation
Tri-state desalination projects
Bi-National environmental resource management and desalination projects
Current Priorities
Presentation Outline
• Early Las Vegas Valley: Water Resources
• Formation of the Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Water Resource Plans in the 1990’s and early 2000’s
• Current Realities: Drought, Climate Change, and Sustainability
• Current Priorities: Conservation, Diversification of Resources and Regional Partnerships
• Southern Nevada Water Authority’s 2009 Water Resource Plan
Water Resource Planning Projected Water Demands
Water Resource Planning
The face of the new Southwest…
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