The southern nevada water authority will restore 10 acres of riparian habitat and protect additional downstream habitat from drought impacts at the warm springs natural area, a 1,250-acre property…

The Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation awarded the Southern Nevada Water Authority $1,999,306 on February 6, 2026, under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) program (CFDA 15.507) to restore riparian habitat and protect downstream habitat from drought impacts at the Warm Springs Natural Area, a 1,250-acre property approximately 40 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada.

The project will restore 10 acres of riparian habitat by widening and improving existing riparian corridors, expanding tree zones, restoring native riparian vegetation within the floodplain, and enhancing mesquite bosques. The work addresses deeply incised stream channels that disconnect streams from the floodplain and limit riparian ecosystem size and diversity. Improvements will enhance hydrologic conditions, create habitat for listed species including the endangered Moapa Dace and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the threatened Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, decrease fire risk, and reduce erosion and sedimentation during flood events. The Warm Springs Natural Area contains perennial springs that form the headwaters of the Muddy River and provide habitat for several protected and sensitive species.

The period of performance runs through June 30, 2028. Work is performed in Nevada. The project is supported by the Authority's 2024 Water Resource Plan and the Warm Springs Natural Area Stewardship Plan, developed in collaboration with local communities, water districts, land managers, and environmental groups.

The southern nevada water authority will restore 10 acres of riparian habitat and protect additional downstream habitat from drought impacts at the warm springs natural area, a 1,250-acre property located approximately 40 miles northwest of LAS vegas, nevada. Stream channels in the area are deeply incised, disconnecting streams from the floodplain, and limiting the size and diversity of the riparian ecosystem. The property is regionally significant as IT contains perennial springs that form the headwaters of the muddy river, and provide habitat for several protected and sensitive species, including the endangered moapa dace, endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, and threatened yellow-billed cuckoo. The proposed project will widen and improve existing riparian corridors, expand tree zones, restore native riparian vegetation within the flood plain, and enhance mesquite bosques. The project will improve hydrologic conditions, create habitat for listed species, decrease fire risk, and reduce erosion and sedimentation during flood events. This project is supported by the 2024 the authoritys water resource plan, and the warm springs natural area stewardship plan, which were developed in collaboration with local communities, water districts, land managers, and environmental groups.