Trash accumulates along a bend in the Las Vegas Wash.

October is Stormwater Pollution Awareness Month

Clark County has designated October as Stormwater Pollution Awareness Month. One of the goals of the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee (LVWCC) is to help the public understand the effects stormwater pollution can have on the Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead.

The Wash serves a critical role in storm drainage for the Las Vegas Valley but is significantly impacted by trash and other pollutants carried by flood flows.

Weirs and wetlands along the channel help filter these flows, preventing large amounts of refuse and other contaminants from travelling downstream, but the resulting accumulations of debris can be unsightly and become a health concern for wildlife.

The LVWCC coordinates with its partners to remove trash as time and funding allow.

Raising awareness of the costs of stormwater pollution can lead to changes in behavior that help improve water quality conditions for plants, animals and people.

Find out why the Las Vegas Wash is so important.

Where to go at the Las Vegas Wash

Clark County Wetlands Park

2,900-acre nature preserve
Miles of trails for walking, biking, bird watching and more
Nature Center with 10,000 square feet of interactive displays, artwork and activities

Get Directions

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

Home to thousands of migratory and resident desert birds
Nine ponds available for birding
3/4-mile long trail accessible by wheelchair

Get Directions

Water quality

See how the wetlands at the Wash clean the water that runs through them, filtering out harmful residues from fertilizers, oils and other contaminants that flow downstream.