Las Vegas Wash is a unique urban waterway that flows through the Las Vegas Valley in southern Nevada, serving as the primary drainage channel for the metropolitan area before emptying into Lake Mead. Originally an ephemeral desert stream, the Wash was transformed into a perennial waterway beginning in the 1950s due to treated wastewater discharge and urban runoff, creating an oasis of aquatic habitat in the Mojave Desert. The 12-mile channel supports a surprising diversity of fish species and wildlife, making it an interesting fishing destination despite its urban setting. The waterway has undergone extensive restoration efforts, including the construction of erosion control structures (weirs) that have created impounded areas and improved habitat quality.