1940s - 1950s

Las Vegas well derrick in front of setting sun in background.

Mid-1940s

The small town of Las Vegas begins to experience a water crisis. As population and water demand grow, city officials become concerned about a dwindling groundwater supply.

Aerial view of Colorado River.

1947

Hoping to curb groundwater use, the Nevada Legislature creates the Las Vegas Valley Water District to begin using the state's Colorado River allocation to provide water to Las Vegas and Clark County.

Grayscale photo of 16 inch cast iron pipeline placement at San Francisco Street in 1955 courtesy of UNLV Lied Library Special Collections Department.

1954

The Water District begins operations.

Grayscale photo of four water pumps.

1955

The first Colorado River water from Lake Mead flows through Las Vegas pipes. The first of four water pumps is able to deliver 3.5 million gallons of water per day. When all four pumps are in service, they supply nearly 14 million gallons a day to the valley.