Las Vegas Flood Control Project Completed to Mitigate Future Flooding

A new detention basin in east Las Vegas, named the Jim McGaughey Detention Basin, has been completed to help mitigate flooding issues near Frenchman Mountain. The project, which cost $21.3 million, was celebrated during a ceremony on December 4, 2025, with Clark County Commission Chairman Tick Segerblom highlighting the significance of this infrastructure enhancement for community safety.

This 71-acre-foot basin was constructed near Los Feliz Street and East Owens Avenue, and is designed to function like a giant bathtub, holding water and redirecting it through underground channels, marking the 111th detention basin in Southern Nevada.

The naming honors Jim McGaughey, a former assemblyman instrumental in establishing the framework for local flood control districts after devastating floods in the 1980s. The project commenced in August 2024 and was completed in about a year, reflecting the city's commitment to improving infrastructure and ensuring safety for its residents.