The Pursuit of Sustainable & Reliable Water Supplies in ... · The Pursuit of . Sustainable & Reliable Water Supplies in the Desert The Las Vegas Story. Richard B. Holmes. Southern

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








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








“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








Drought takes holdon the Colorado River…


1,080

1,120

1,160

1,200

1,240

1999 2000 2001 2002


Lake Mead water level plunges…


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



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.








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


Year-round watering schedules

Turf limitations

Golf course water budgets

Water waste enforcement

Conservation rates

Education and outreach

18

Conservation Policies and Programs


• 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


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








Water Resource Planning Projected Water Demands

Water Resource Planning

The face of the new Southwest…

Documents

The Pursuit of Sustainable & Reliable Water Supplies in ... · The Pursuit of . Sustainable & Reliable Water Supplies in the Desert The Las Vegas Story. Richard B. Holmes. Southern