Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Letter to the editor:

Don’t bet against Mother Nature

I appreciated “Climate change as reflected in Lake Mead,” the Aug. 25 column by Patricia Mulroy, manager of the Water Authority, but it would have been nice to a have had a discussion of the alternatives to assuring us of sufficient future water.

First, I have to step up in defense of Mother Nature, whom Ms. Mulroy says is assaulting the Colorado River. When the politicians of years gone by made the decision to construct Hoover Dam, they reviewed the records of perception and river flows for a rather limited time. But as we all know, the climate is changing.

The planners made a bet that the river flow would last, and it was a good bet. Our community has grown to what must be beyond the dreams of the early politicians.

At this point, we have a choice of again wagering a lot of money that Mother Nature will hold up her end of the deal and provide a substantial amount of renewable water from Central Nevada or doing something else.

Just a few hours west we have a virtually unlimited supply of water in the Pacific Ocean. That water can be de-mineralized (at great expense) and delivered by a variety of ways (at great expense) to Las Vegas.

But to me, it boils down to this: Do we want again enter Mother Nature’s casino, betting against the house, or pay more and go for the sure thing?

Generally, I think at least we locals know, it doesn’t pay to bet against the house.

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