EDITORIAL: Southern Nevada’s great lake

Most of what you read and hear about Lake Mead involves the lengthy drought in the West and how that has contributed to declining lake levels. Yes, there is reason for concern, and Southern Nevada needs to continue to take steps to secure the region's long-term water future. But there is good news to report from Lake Mead, or at least the national recreation area that encompasses it.

As reported by the Review-Journal's Henry Brean, a busy 2015 season vaulted the Lake Mead National Recreation Area into fifth place among the nation's most visited National Park Service sites. Lake Mead attracted 7.2 million visitors last year, a 5 percent increase over 2014, edging the George Washington Memorial Parkway for fifth and easily outdrawing such famed parks as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. The Blue Ridge Parkway (15 million) and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (14.9 million) topped the list.

Southern Nevada attracted more than 42 million visitors in 2015, and while Las Vegas tourism and conventions are rightly seen as the engine that drives our local economy, there is no denying what a key and consistent cog Lake Mead is for the region. The recreation area's strong numbers serve to further point out that visitors are our bread and butter. In fact, between Lake Mead, Red Rock, Valley of Fire and more, Southern Nevada annually draws boatloads of visitors who never even make it into a casino.

Said Park Superintendent Lizette Richardson: "With hundreds of miles of trails, shoreline and two vast lakes, Lake Mead National Recreation Area remains America's most diverse national recreation area and a popular destination for tourists and locals alike."

Indeed. Congratulations to Ms. Richardson and her staff.