Las Vegas Secures Water Supply from Lake Mead Amidst Drought Concerns with Advanced Infrastructure
Las Vegas has invested over a billion dollars in infrastructure to ensure its water supply from Lake Mead, even if the lake's levels drop to 'dead pool.' Southern Nevada relies on Lake Mead for nearly 90% of its water. A persistent drought since 2000 has significantly lowered the lake's water levels. To counter this, the Southern Nevada Water Authority approved and activated Intake No. 3, known as the 'Third Straw,' in 2015. This intake is positioned at 860 feet elevation, 35 feet below the 895-foot dead pool level, allowing water extraction even when the dam can no longer release water downstream. Complementing this, a Low Lake Level Pumping Station, completed in 2020, can lift up to 900 million gallons daily from the lowest intake. These projects, costing approximately $1.5 billion, were funded by local ratepayers. 
