[Juxtaposition109]

We all know that most likely nothing will get done in regards to the issue until the taps in the city go dry.

After that it will turn into another cliché media theatrical blame game as opposed to actual actions being taken.

Regardless of this and just for brainstorming ideas though, what would be in your view a logical solution to the Las Vegas water supply issue? Any cited sources of claims made are greatly appreciated

[WestieJeff]

The taps will never go dry in Las Vegas as the lowest intake for Las Vegas drinking water is below the output level of the dam. We will continue to draw water in the state where no water will continue to flow down the Colorado. The problem will self correct from there as Arizona and California will not be able to draw their allowance.

IMO, long term solutions are reforming how agriculture is performed in CA, particular a large portion of agriculture that gets exported out of the US. Big-agra is well aware of this and certainly actively lobbying against regulations and changes that would affect their profit. Agriculture is currently not charged a true market rate for water and that's what needs to be corrected.

I believe the most likely outcome is tax payers will fund a large payout to Big-agra to pay them to stop growing certain crops and permanently give up some portion of water allocation.

[Kalbo]

Desalination plants along the west coast then pipe the water across the southwest.

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by Kalbo

Desalination plants along the west coast then pipe the water across the southwest.

If only the west coast would allow it. The proposed desalinization plant in Southern California has just been forbidden by the Coastal Commission.

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by WestieJeff

The taps will never go dry in Las Vegas as the lowest intake for Las Vegas drinking water is below the output level of the dam. We will continue to draw water in the state where no water will continue to flow down the Colorado. The problem will self correct from there as Arizona and California will not be able to draw their allowance.

IMO, long term solutions are reforming how agriculture is performed in CA, particular a large portion of agriculture that gets exported out of the US. Big-agra is well aware of this and certainly actively lobbying against regulations and changes that would affect their profit. Agriculture is currently not charged a true market rate for water and that's what needs to be corrected.

I believe the most likely outcome is tax payers will fund a large payout to Big-agra to pay them to stop growing certain crops and permanently give up some portion of water allocation.

All seems very likely. We also need to see other cities in the region go to full water recycling like Southern Nevada does and for goodness sakes get rid of the lawns. Desalination is an absolute last ditch effort when other things are failing, not a way around doing the things that you could do but just refuse to for political or financial reasons.

[DenverBrian]

Also needs to be a ratcheting down of non-grass plant watering throughout Las Vegas. The city currently allows watering six days a week (!) in summer. If a plant needs water six days a week, it's not a native desert plant and it needs to be given up.

[AA702]

I saw a youtube video on building a pipeline/aqua duct project that would connect the Missouri river in Kansas to connect to the Colorado river. This would be very expensive but it would solve the problem since they have a large surplus of water on that side of the rockies.

[ChrisKLAS]

Originally Posted by DenverBrian

Also needs to be a ratcheting down of non-grass plant watering throughout Las Vegas. The city currently allows watering six days a week (!) in summer. If a plant needs water six days a week, it's not a native desert plant and it needs to be given up.

Sure, I'm gonna rip out $100k worth of 2 year old landscaping when Nevada isn't even using half of our current water allotment. Get real.

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by AA702

I saw a youtube video on building a pipeline/aqua duct project that would connect the Missouri river in Kansas to connect to the Colorado river. This would be very expensive but it would solve the problem since they have a large surplus of water on that side of the rockies.

Agree this is one solution. The cost would pay for itself over time as it would alleviate flooding on the Mississippi and the BILLIONS of dollars in property damage from flooding.

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by ChrisKLAS

Sure, I'm gonna rip out $100k worth of 2 year old landscaping when Nevada isn't even using half of our current water allotment. Get real.

Nevada uses a small fraction of water from Lake Mead. A massive reduction in Nevada water use would not much change the water storage level in the lake.