Las Vegas and the surrounding landscape continue to experience an extreme drought. Some experts are citing a mild winter with low mountain snowpack in addition to minimal rainfall in the spring months.
County management has released the following statement regarding wildfires, “The likelihood of wildfires is high. Please be mindful regarding open grills and please do not throw cigarette butts from car windows into the desert brush.”
The mayor of Las Vegas has put the following restrictions on water until the end of the drought.
- No watering of residential landscape areas (lawns or gardens)
- No washing of vehicles
- Restrict showers to 5 minutes in duration
Water rationing has also begun for ranchers in Clark, Lincoln, and Nye counties. Ranchers are worried what this will do to the quality and price of beef when it heads to market.
The University of Nevada at Las Vegas in conjunction with the military will be examining water levels at Lake Meade and releasing a statement in the coming weeks after they complete their own assessment of the crisis.