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Las Vegas Battles Drought: Stringent Conservation and an Uncertain Future for Water Resources
- 2024/11/01
- 再生時間： 4 分
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あらすじ・解説
As of November 1, 2024, Las Vegas and the surrounding areas are gearing up for another challenging year in managing their precious water resources. Here’s a snapshot of the current situation and what the near future holds.
### Water Shortages and Conservation
Las Vegas, which gets about 90% of its water from the Colorado River, is still grappling with the worst drought in the river basin's recorded history. The water level of Lake Mead, the primary source of drinking water for the city, has dropped more than 150 feet since 2000.
Despite a brief respite due to an exceptionally wet winter in 2023 that pushed Southern Nevada back into a Tier 1 water shortage for 2024, the risk of ongoing shortages remains high. Currently, Southern Nevada is under a Tier 1 shortage, which means a reduction of 21,000 acre-feet of water, or about 7% of its standard allocation of 300,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water.
### Conservation Efforts
The community has been proactive in water conservation. Since 2002, Las Vegas has implemented some of the most progressive water conservation measures in the nation. These include seasonal watering restrictions, golf course water budgets, a grass replacement program, and penalties for water waste. These efforts have resulted in a 58% decline in per capita water use since 2002, with the community using 45 billion gallons less water in 2023 compared to 2002.
New regulations starting in 2027 will prohibit the irrigation of unused, decorative grass in medians, roundabouts, and other areas with Colorado River water. Additionally, new golf courses in Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County cannot use Colorado River water for irrigation.
### Winter Water Restrictions
Beginning November 1, mandatory winter water restrictions are in place. These restrictions are part of the ongoing effort to manage the dwindling water supply. Homeowners and businesses will need to adhere to these rules to help conserve water during the winter months.
### Precipitation Outlook
The 2024 water year ended on a relatively normal note, thanks to late-season storms in February and March. However, the outlook for 2025 is uncertain. According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the region has an equal chance of having above, near, or below-normal precipitation in 2025. A La Niña watch is in place, which could lead to warmer and drier conditions in Southern Nevada.
### Current Drought Conditions
Despite the normal precipitation levels in the 2024 water year, most of Nevada is still in some level of drought. Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, is particularly dry, with Lake Mead remaining only 33% full. The lack of summer monsoons has exacerbated the drought conditions, with roughly 2.1 million Nevadans living in areas affected by drought.
In summary, Las Vegas is navigating a complex water landscape marked by ongoing drought, stringent conservation measures, and uncertain precipitation forecasts. As the city moves into the winter season, residents and visitors alike will need to remain vigilant in their water conservation efforts to ensure a sustainable future for this desert oasis.
### Water Shortages and Conservation
Las Vegas, which gets about 90% of its water from the Colorado River, is still grappling with the worst drought in the river basin's recorded history. The water level of Lake Mead, the primary source of drinking water for the city, has dropped more than 150 feet since 2000.
Despite a brief respite due to an exceptionally wet winter in 2023 that pushed Southern Nevada back into a Tier 1 water shortage for 2024, the risk of ongoing shortages remains high. Currently, Southern Nevada is under a Tier 1 shortage, which means a reduction of 21,000 acre-feet of water, or about 7% of its standard allocation of 300,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water.
### Conservation Efforts
The community has been proactive in water conservation. Since 2002, Las Vegas has implemented some of the most progressive water conservation measures in the nation. These include seasonal watering restrictions, golf course water budgets, a grass replacement program, and penalties for water waste. These efforts have resulted in a 58% decline in per capita water use since 2002, with the community using 45 billion gallons less water in 2023 compared to 2002.
New regulations starting in 2027 will prohibit the irrigation of unused, decorative grass in medians, roundabouts, and other areas with Colorado River water. Additionally, new golf courses in Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County cannot use Colorado River water for irrigation.
### Winter Water Restrictions
Beginning November 1, mandatory winter water restrictions are in place. These restrictions are part of the ongoing effort to manage the dwindling water supply. Homeowners and businesses will need to adhere to these rules to help conserve water during the winter months.
### Precipitation Outlook
The 2024 water year ended on a relatively normal note, thanks to late-season storms in February and March. However, the outlook for 2025 is uncertain. According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the region has an equal chance of having above, near, or below-normal precipitation in 2025. A La Niña watch is in place, which could lead to warmer and drier conditions in Southern Nevada.
### Current Drought Conditions
Despite the normal precipitation levels in the 2024 water year, most of Nevada is still in some level of drought. Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, is particularly dry, with Lake Mead remaining only 33% full. The lack of summer monsoons has exacerbated the drought conditions, with roughly 2.1 million Nevadans living in areas affected by drought.
In summary, Las Vegas is navigating a complex water landscape marked by ongoing drought, stringent conservation measures, and uncertain precipitation forecasts. As the city moves into the winter season, residents and visitors alike will need to remain vigilant in their water conservation efforts to ensure a sustainable future for this desert oasis.