LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A major retention basin to prevent flooding in East Las Vegas communities is 93% complete, according to the Regional Flood Control District.
Over the summer, FOX5 told you about the $23.7 million Jim McGaughey Detention Basin at the foot of Frenchman Mountain. The detention basin can hold up to 80 acres of water, which will flow into Lake Mead.
As monsoon season comes to an end, FOX5 surveyed the construction near Owens Avenue and North Hollywood Boulevard.
“The detention basin acts like a giant bathtub,” said Michelle French of the Regional Flood Control District. “This is going to protect the homes, the businesses in the communities that surround this area. There’s a school right behind the detention basin as well. That’s also going to be protected in the event of a storm that happens that basically sits right over Frenchman Mountain,” French said.
FOX5 told you about the ongoing work across the East Valley that’s part of the District’s Master Plan; across Clark County, the work is now 75% complete. There are 111 detention basins and 713 miles of storm drains and channels across the entire County, French said.
Floods can be deadly. In September 2023, witnesses said numerous children were playing in East Valley flood waters. Along Boulder Highway and Tropicana Avenue, a teenager in an inner tube was trapped under a car. They passed away from their injuries.
To educate youth about flood dangers, over the past two years, the Regional Flood Control District has rolled out lessons with a cartoon featuring mascot Drainger Danger. Last year, officials took lessons and flood demonstrations to 4,500 children across Clark County.
“Parents, remind your children to stay out of storm drains, stay out of the channels, and even staying out of the gutters. Gutter water is dirty…and you just don’t want your kids playing in that water,” French said.
For more on Drainger Danger and lessons for families and kids, click here: Drainger Danger.
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