After $817 million, more than six years and one worker’s life, Lake Mead is getting a third straw.
At least that’s the nickname for the new pipeline being built to ensure Las Vegas suburbs and casinos can still get their water.
Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager John Entsminger told KNPR's State of Nevada that the intake will "allow us to pull water from the very deepest part of the lake."
He said while lake levels remain low they will pull from the third intake for water quality and temperature issues.
It also solves an overall problem.
"The third intake gives us the pipe at the very bottom," Entsminger explained.
The intake along with a new pumping station will allow Las Vegas to get water even in what is known as a 'dead pool situation,' which is when the lake levels drop below 900 feet.
At that point, the Bureau of Reclamation won't let water out of Hoover Dam.
However, because the intake is at 860 feet and the pump can pull water from that level, the valley's water supply will stay intact.
"We're basically guaranteed to have 40 feet of water over that intake," Entsminger said. "Ninety percent of your water comes from one source you do what it necessary to guarantee that source."
John Entsminger, SNWA general manager
