All photographs © K. Dewey,
High Plains Regional Climate
Center
The Las Vegas "Strip", the casinos and hotels along Las Vegas Blvd.,
is barely visible through the smog hanging over the city.
Approximately 5,000 new residents arrive in Las Vegas WEEKLY which
casts a dark cloud on future water availability in a city
that normally only receives 4 inches of rain per year.
 |
 |
| Despite the serious drought and significant drop in water elevation at Lake Mead, ample water is found throughout Las Vegas. | There are several residential communities recently built around man made lakes in Las Vegas. |
 |
 |
| In a survey of golf course operators, it was found that they irrigate the courses daily. | The poor soil means little water retention, and shallow turf root development, requiring frequent irrigation. |
 |
 |
| Another example of ample water supply during a major drought is found along the Las Vegas Strip. Here "dancing waters" spray 12 stories into the air in front of the Bellagio Hotel both night | and day. |
 |
 |
| And each hotel along the strip has swimming pools that are large users of water. During the hot summer days with low humidity, there is constant and large evaporation from these pools. | The relative humidity in the hills outside Las Vegas was measured at only 2 %. |
 |
 |
| This image was acquired from "Terraserver.com" and shows 3 ribbon-like man-made lakes in western Las Vegas, NV. | This golf course in far SW Las Vegas with its green fairways stands in stark contrast to the surrounding brown desert. |
 |
|
| Ironically, despite Las Vegas being a desert, flash flooding is recurring hazard due to the lack of vegetation holding back runoff. This sign was photographed in North Las Vegas near a dry river bed. |
All photographs © K. Dewey,
High Plains Regional Climate
Center
|
University of Nebraska-Lincoln High Plains Regional Climate Center |