Las Vegas Wash: What is the Wash?: Overview
It's an oasis in the desert! Who would have thought there could be wetlands in this arid environment? But it's true! The Wash is an "urban" river — it exists in its present capacity because of the urban population here in Southern Nevada. It is a flow of water that is comprised of
urban runoff,
shallow groundwater,
reclaimed water, and
stormwater. Wetlands are known to act as the "kidneys" of the environment, cleaning the water that runs through them, filtering out harmful residues from fertilizers, oils, and other contaminants that can be found on our roadways and in the surrounding desert. By allowing Mother Nature to filter the water received from the urban landscape, we also reap benefits in improved water quality, creation of habitat for various outdoor activities and wildlife uses, and increased aesthetic value. Many people are not even aware that wetlands exist in our desert environment!
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