Home / Environment / Las Vegas Lawns Gone, Heat Rises
Las Vegas Lawns Gone, Heat Rises
29 Aug
Summary
- Over 200 billion gallons of water saved by removing lawns.
- Surface temperatures in Las Vegas have significantly increased.
- Grass removal raised summer temperatures by approximately 20 degrees Celsius.
A substantial initiative in the Las Vegas Valley to eliminate grass lawns has resulted in water savings of 203 billion gallons. This effort, driven by the Southern Nevada Water Authority's Water Smart Landscapes Rebate program and legislative action, has converted 250 million square feet of non-functional grass since 1999. Financial incentives encourage property owners to replace water-intensive lawns with desert landscaping.
However, this widespread removal has been linked to a concerning increase in local surface temperatures. Academic research found that eliminating turf grass raised summer land-surface temperatures by approximately 20 degrees Celsius. This occurs because grass naturally cools environments through evapotranspiration, a benefit lost when replaced by gravel, rocks, or artificial surfaces.
The region faces a dilemma: conserve precious water resources or mitigate rising urban heat. Southern Nevada relies heavily on the Colorado River, and outdoor irrigation represents a significant water loss. While grass removal conserves water, it exacerbates the urban heat island effect, prompting recommendations for water-efficient landscapes with tree cover.
