Today Representative Dina Titus (NV-01), a founding member of the Congressional Colorado River Caucus, announced $20 million in funding to design and construct a weir in the Lower Las Vegas Wash which will help reduce sediment load and improve habitat conditions.

“The Las Vegas Wash channels more than 200 million gallons of water every day to Lake Mead, and weirs and surrounding natural habitats are critical for reducing erosion and filtering this natural resource,” said Rep. Titus. “Today’s funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will ensure the Southern Nevada Water Authority has the ability to continue boosting water quality, and allow our region to maintain its leadership in water conservation.”

Background
Today’s funding comes from the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program provides funding to support projects that improve the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat.

The $20 million for the Southern Nevada Water Authority will help complete construction on Weir 3.4, an erosion control structure in the Lower Las Vegas Wash in the National Park Service’s (NPS) Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA). Additionally, the project will involve the removal of invasive tamarisk and revegetation with native shrubs, trees, and grasses. The project will improve habitat conditions for wildlife, including the federally endangered southwestern willow flycatcher and Yuma Ridgway’s rail, and the threatened yellow-billed cuckoo. It will also enhance spawning habitat for the razorback sucker.