Annalise Porter

Public Affairs Analyst, Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)

Las Vegas, NV

November 19th, 2025

We met with Annalise in an alcove nestled within the wetlands which line the Las Vegas Wash. The Las Vegas Wash was once on ephemeral stream, but now is always flowing, as it drains stormwater, wastewater, and urban runoff from the City of Las Vegas. Having grown up in Southern Nevada with family in the water business, Annalise has always been captivated by the workings of the Colorado River. She has transformed this interest into a career in water policy following the completion of a Water Resources Graduate Program at the University of New Mexico. Today, she works for the Southern Nevada Water Authority on developing public policy and tackling water management issues in the Lower Colorado Basin.

Annalise familiarizes us with Las Vegas’ water conservation efforts. Las Vegas is the poster child of modern water conservation as the city uses less than 70% of its allocated Colorado River water right and the per capita water use has decreased by 55% since 2002. This feat has been achieved through a variety of initiatives, incentives, and programs, including water recycling, promotion of xeriscaping, and regulations that limit where grass can be planted. For these reasons, water managers in Nevada, like Annalise, are serving as models for other arid regions struggling with water conservation as drought in the West continues to bare its teeth.

By Marina Roberts