Las Vegas is currently facing Tier 1 water shortage restrictions, which have been in place since the beginning of 2023.

Models indicate that these Tier 1 shortages are likely to persist for the next five years, depending on the water levels in Lake Mead.

Under the Tier 1 restrictions, Nevada's water allocation has been reduced from 300,000 acre-feet to 279,000 acre-feet, marking a 7% decrease.

Lake Mead's water level is critically low, currently at just 33% capacity, with a noticeable drop of 167 feet indicated by a bathtub ring.

The Colorado River Basin is experiencing a temperature increase of about 2.5 degrees since the onset of the megadrought that began in 2000.

Climate change models predict that Las Vegas could see average temperature increases of 7 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit by mid-century.

U.S. Representative Susie Lee has highlighted that the impacts of climate change and water shortages are major concerns for Nevadans, emphasizing the need for ongoing investment in water management.

Conservationists are worried about the sustainability of current water management strategies, fearing a return to more severe shortages.

Colby Pellegrino, deputy general manager at the Southern Nevada Water Authority, noted that the region might experience an additional month of 100-degree days.

In previous years, deeper cuts were implemented under Tier 2a restrictions, resulting in significant reductions for both Arizona and Nevada.

In August 2021, base allocations of Colorado River water were adjusted, leading to substantial reductions for Arizona, California, and Nevada due to the ongoing water shortage.

At the recent 2024 Water Summit, discussions focused on advancements in water conservation and infrastructure improvements amidst the ongoing restrictions.

In July 2023, Las Vegas recorded a staggering temperature of 120 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 117 degrees.