Senate approves amendment to deal with western drought

The U.S. Senate has approved a water management amendment proposed by Nevada senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller.

In a joint statement, they said the amendment will help Nevada and other western states deal with record drought conditions along the Colorado River.

Reid said Lake Mead has dropped to levels not seen since the dam was built and the lake began to fill.

“Through this amendment, we can give western states the tools they need to deal with this critical issue,” he said.

Heller described the Colorado River as “the lifeblood of southern Nevada, supplying over 90 percent of southern Nevada’s water supplies.”

“Given the current drought situation, it is essential that we stretch every drop of western water as far as it will go,” he said.

The amendment provides $50 million to be used to compensate for voluntary reductions in water use and efficiency upgrades along the river.