Las Vegas Wash Wetland Restoration

Working to stabilize and enhance the valuable environmental resources of  the Las Vegas Wash

525 acres restored
1,500 acres of invasive weeds removed

Project Overview

As a critical ecological resource for Southern Nevada, the Las Vegas Wash provides habitat for more than 350 fish and wildlife species and more than 200 species of upland, riparian and wetland plants, and serves as a source of return flow credits to the Colorado River at Lake Mead. Increased population in the Las Vegas Valley has resulted in a significant increase of water flow, thus eroding the channel’s bed and banks, threatening wildlife habitats, water quality and utility infrastructure. Protecting this valuable water resource has become a priority for the communities of Southern Nevada.

Scope & Objectives

Since 1998, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and its partners on the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee (LVWCC) have developed and implemented a comprehensive adaptive management plan (CAMP) for the Wash. The plan’s primary purpose is to guide actions to protect and enhance the Wash and surrounding wetlands. Before restoration work, only about 10% of the 2,000-acre wetland remained. For nearly 20 years, Soil-Tech has worked collaboratively with the project stakeholders to create self- sustaining, ecologically functioning wetland, riparian, and upland habitats by replacing non-native plants with native vegetation.

Soil-Tech’s Role

Our goal remains clear: to conserve and restore environmental resources of the Las Vegas Wash consistent with the Clark County Wetlands Park Master Plan and the CAMP. Since the project’s beginning, tamarisk along the Wash has been reduced by 95 percent, from approximately 1,500 acres to just 65. Another state-listed noxious weed, giant reed, has been reduced by 90 percent. After construction of each weir, our team planted aquatic, riparian and upland plants in appropriate areas, hydro-seeded and planted pole cuttings. Our lead personnel have more than 80 years of combined experience, which we are proud to report has led to high survival rates and successful vegetation.

Restoration projects include:

  • Tamarisk and noxious weed removal
  • Hydro-seeding and broadcast seeding
  • Revegetation of 525 acres
  • Stabilization of erosion areas
  • Maintenance by weeding, watering and repairing temporary irrigation systems
  • Aquatic plant harvesting
  • Removal of tamarisk slash and stumps
  • Installation of fencing

Project features include:

  • Weir projects
  • Rainbow Gardens
  • Upper Diversion
  • Powerline Crossing
  • Duck Creek Confluence
  • Calico Ridge
  • Bostick Weir

Project Services Include:

MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES

WETLAND RESORATION

REVEGETATION

WEED ABATEMENT

ONGOING

20 YEAR

Community-involved Restoration Project

525 ACRES

Critical habitat restored

RESULTS

Soil-Tech continues to partner with the SNWA and LVWCC on community based events such as Wash Green-Ups, biological studies, children’s educational events and more.

Since 2001, we have assisted in irrigation and planting for 33 Green-Up events which draw hundreds of volunteers from the local community in an ongoing effort to protect and enhance the ecosystem along the Las Vegas Wash. These revegetation efforts have helped stabilize the Wash’s banks, reducing erosion and improving water quality into Lake Mead, the source of the Las Vegas Valley’s drinking water.

At the last semi-annual Green-Up, volunteers planted approximately 7,000 trees and shrubs with help from Soil-Tech at an 8 1/2-acre site near the Tropicana Weir.

To participate in a future Green-Up event, visit:
WWW.LVWASH.ORG