Congresswoman Lee Announces Additional $20 Million to Construct New Erosion Control Structure in Las Vegas Wash

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) announced she helped secure another $20 million for Nevada from the Bureau of Reclamation to strengthen the Las Vegas Wash. This federal investment, to be provided to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, will go toward the construction of an erosion control structure, known as a weir, in the Lower Las Vegas Wash within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. 

The Las Vegas Wash is a critical drought mitigation tool and the primary drainage channel for the Las Vegas Valley watershed, carrying around 200 million gallons of water to Lake Mead daily. The additional weir will help filter the water returning to the lake and improve habitat conditions for endangered wildlife, fortifying the Wash for years to come. 

"Nobody knows better than a Nevadan how important our water is, and today’s announcement is another huge win to protect both our local and regional water supply,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “The Las Vegas Wash is critical to keeping more water in Lake Mead as well as ensuring safe and clean water for this generation and those to come. I’ll keep fighting to bring back federal dollars to strengthen southern Nevada’s water infrastructure.”

The investment is funded in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congresswoman Lee helped negotiate and pass last Congress. In 2023 alone, Lee delivered more than $122 million for local water projects and infrastructure. This year, she secured another $4 million for the Lake Mead/Las Vegas Wash Program. 

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