"Nevada is the driest state in the nation," Clifford said. "Species [that] are dependent on groundwater or rivers like the Virgin River or the Truckee River ... are at risk, because as we grow ...

The majority of Nevada is experiencing some level of dryness ... centered around that part of Clark County where the Virgin River and Colorado River meet. It's radiated and expanded out from ...

Nevada has substantially reduced the amount of water it consumes from the river in recent decades ... flexibility to tap into water rights in the Virgin and Muddy Rivers if needed, Mack said.