Letter from Alfred Merritt Smith (Carson City) to Ernest Cragin (Las Vegas), May 6, 1946

COPY STATE of NEVADA OFFICE of STATE ENGINEER Carson City, Nevada May 6, 1946 Mr. Ernest Cragin, Mayor City of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada Dear Mayor Cragin: Due to the rapid development of industry within the Las Vegas Valley, a crisis is rapidly approaching relative to the supply of under-ground water from which source water is furnished to the City of Las Vegas and surrounding areas. To be more specific, the annual amount of water now being taken from the underground supply is nearly equal to the annual recharge. If water were taken from the underground source in an amount equal to the permitted rights now existing, the draft would exceed the recharge. For the past two years this office in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey has been carrying on an extensive study on the underground waters in that area and we believe that the study will be completed by this Fall. However, we are able at this time to estimate with reasonable accuracy the normal recharge and the condition is alarming. We feel that at the moment, the major limiting factor to the growth and prosperity of that area is the water supply. If the growth depends upon the water from the underground supply then the Las Vegas Valley is nearing its full development. Section 10 of the 1939 law relating to underground water (Chap. 178, Stats. 1939) provides that when the State Engineer determines that the waters from an underground source is fully appropriated, then no further permits shall be issued. Therefore, unless some positive action is taken by the people there to supplement the underground waters with water from another source it will soon become mandatory for the State Engineer to curtail the issuance of any further permits. We realize that such action on our part will have most disastrous affect on the welfare of the Las Vegas Valley, as naturally no new industries, hotels and other large users of water would consider entering an area where there is an inadequate supply of water. Mayor Ernest Cragin - 2 - May 6, 1946 The matter of taking such a decisive step is approached with great reluctance on our part, and only in order to save and protect present water rights and property. We have great faith in the ability and desire of the people there to rapidly develop and make the most of the great possibilities of the Las Vegas valley, and believe that they will take immediate measures to secure an additional supply of water. We believe if the property owners in Las Vegas Valley can be organized into a municipal entity, which might be designated as the "Las Vegas Valley Water Improvement District", it would constitute a political body able to cope with the problem of bringing in supplemental water from Mead Lake. If this is done soon, perhaps the indicated necessity of curtailing further permits to use of ground water may be delayed. In any event, limiting further draft on the underground supply, when it eventually becomes absolutely necessary, would not then result in retarding the growth of that wonderful region. Steps for the formation of such a water use improvement district must of necessity be taken immediately. Similar letters are being sent to A. C. Grant, Chairman, Industrial Development Committee and County Commission Chairman Ira Earl. Should a meeting be held between you to discuss this matter, please feel free to call upon Mr. Hugh Shamberger and myself. Sincerely yours, s/ Alfred Merritt Smith State Engineer