WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Clark County is considering a rule change that would allow man-made lakes in places where county policy has kept them out for good reason: we live in a desert, and water here is scarce. The first project in line is a proposed lake at the Reserve at Red Rock Canyon, the former Bonnie Springs site.
The county’s own planning staff has recommended denial. They found the amendment, called TA-26-0567, sets no standards for a lake’s size, design, or water source, and that it conflicts with the county’s water conservation policies.
The water under Red Rock is already stretched. Just 2.5 miles away, Blue Diamond has been under a moratorium on new water use since 2020 because its wells were nearing record lows. The proposed lake sits in the same watershed, and the natural springs that keep Red Rock Canyon alive depend on that same groundwater.
WHAT TO DO:
Commissioners pay attention when they hear from the people who live here and love this place. The letter is already written.
Take action by November 17:
Please Email The Commissioners directly, Copy this text into your email, and customize it as you see fit:
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to urge you to deny Text Amendment TA-26-0567 and uphold Clark County Comprehensive Planning Staff's recommendation for denial.
This amendment would allow the development of man-made lakes throughout Clark County for fire suppression and life safety purposes. While fire safety is important, it must not come at the expense of our region's limited and increasingly vulnerable water resources.
County planning staff have identified serious concerns, including prolonged drought conditions, excessive water loss through evaporation, the potential diversion of water needed for homes and irrigation, and the absence of adequate development standards and limitations. The amendment could also encourage the proliferation of non-essential water features throughout Clark County.
The Clark County Master Plan establishes the protection of water quality, supply, and reliability for current and future residents as a core planning priority. TA-26-0567 is fundamentally inconsistent with that objective.
The applicant has expressed interest in constructing a lake at the Reserve at Red Rock Canyon, formerly Bonnie Springs. This location raises additional concerns:
Red Rock Canyon groundwater resources are already under severe pressure. In 2020, Red Rock Canyon groundwater concerns prompted restrictions on new and expanded water use in nearby Blue Diamond, approximately 2.5 miles from the proposed lake. Introducing a large, evaporation-prone water feature in this already water-stressed region is contrary to responsible resource management.
Natural springs and wildlife depend on limited water supplies. Red Rock Canyon's springs sustain fragile desert ecosystems, native vegetation, and wildlife. Filling and continually replenishing an artificial lake could place additional demands on groundwater resources that are essential to the surrounding environment. These ecosystems are already experiencing significant stress from prolonged drought.
The need for a lake in Red Rock Canyon for fire suppression is not proven. Torino Ranch, about 10 miles from the Reserve at Red Rock has previously supported wildfire suppression operations, including helicopter water access, firefighter accommodations, and staging facilities. Fire preparedness is essential, but it should be addressed through responsible emergency planning rather than a countywide amendment that could undermine existing water protections.
Water rights do not guarantee water availability. Nevada's groundwater resources face substantial pressure from existing allocations and limited natural recharge. The Nevada Division of Water Resources has reported that half of the state's groundwater basins are already fully or over-committed. Legal rights to use water do not eliminate the physical limitations of the aquifers supplying it. Authorizing additional water-intensive uses in an arid region is neither prudent nor sustainable.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is one of Southern Nevada's most treasured natural landscapes. Protecting this extraordinary place means protecting the scarce water resources that sustain it.
The long-term consequences of weakening countywide water protections extend far beyond a single proposed development. In a desert community where every gallon matters, creating new opportunities for large artificial lakes is inconsistent with responsible water stewardship.
I respectfully urge you to follow County Planning Staff's recommendation and deny Text Amendment TA-26-0567 in its entirety.
