Las Vegas, NV, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. However, there is a lot of information people do not know about the city. For example, there is a population of thousands of people living under the city in tunnels meant to protect the town from flash floods.

Work on the tunnels began decades ago, and it continues today because flash floods are a severe issue in the area. Even a small amount of rain can cause massive problems because the rain flows down from the surrounding areas and mountains. The result is flooded streets and also flooding in some casinos.

So, city officials decided the best way to alleviate the situation was to create hundreds of miles of storm drains. What they did not expect was that homeless people would travel into the tunnels and build homes. Keep reading to find out more about how these intricate tunnels work to protect the city and more.

20 You Drive Over The Tunnels Without Even Knowing They Are There

If you have ever visited Las Vegas, you likely drove over the storm drain tunnels without knowing they existed. They run through most of the city underneath all of the major streets. There are even sections of the system under the famous Las Vegas Strip.

19 Underground Portions Of The Tunnels Are Made Out Of Prefab Concrete Squares

The storm drains are not technically tunnels. Meaning, they are not entirely underground. Instead, construction crews dug out dirt from some areas to make room for giant prefab concrete cubes. They then covered some areas so they could build roads on top.

18 Water From The Tunnels Flows Into The Las Vegas Wash

The water runs through the system of storm drains and ends up in the Las Vegas Wash and other washes around town that are like artificial rivers. The wetland river systems helps to filter out harmful chemicals and sediment in the water in a more natural way.

17 The Water From The Tunnels Eventually Ends Up In Lake Mead

Eventually, the water makes its way through the washes and into Lake Mead, a large body of water that serves the area as a recreational attraction and provides water when the city needs it. When visiting this beautiful location, it is hard to believe it is not a natural lake.

16 The Storm Drains Consist Of Underground And Open Channels

The storm drain tunnels are both underground and open channels. The open sections allow the water to drain off of the streets and other areas into the system. The closed portions enable the city to build roadways above the tunnels.

15 City Officials Began Planning The System After Life-Threatening Floods

In 1975 a major life-threatening flood happened. Water overflowed the Las Vegas Wash and caused major damage around Caesar's Palace. City officials knew something had to be done to prevent a similar situation in the future, so they began planning the storm tunnels.

14 Construction Began In The Late 1980s

Construction crews broke ground on the massive project to save the city in the late 1980s after years of planning and consulting with experts and city engineers. Teams completed the majority of the current storm drainage solution in the 1990s.

13 There Are Hundreds Of Miles Of Storm Drain Tunnels In Las Vegas

To date, there are several hundred miles of tunnels throughout Las Vegas. They run through residential and commercial areas all around the city. To put that into perspective, the Las Vegas Strip is only 4.2 miles long, and the entire city is 153.9 square miles.

12 Las Vegas Is Not Done Building The Tunnels

The Las Vegas Flood Control District currently has projects underway to add on even more to the already massive drainage system. In 2019 some of the projects were completed, but there are more projects planned, and the city plans to add more to the system as needed.

11 The Tunnels Are Really Wide

There are some parts of the tunnels that are really wide. The width is necessary to create enough room for millions of gallons of water to rush through. When it rains, it is not uncommon for the tunnels to be full of water that moves very quickly through them.

10 The Tunnels Help To Revitalize The Infrastructure Of Las Vegas

The projects to safely divert water away from the city also help to create recreational areas for residents and visitors in Las Vegas. Green spaces and parks surround some portions of the storm drains. These areas are a peaceful place to get away from the bustling streets in the city.

9 A Section Of The Tunnel Had To Be Moved Before Construction Of The New Raiders Stadium Could Begin

There were open channel sections of storm drains on the property that now houses the Raiders stadium called culverts. Before crews could begin building, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had to sign off to have the ducts that channels water from the Tropicana Detention Basin to Flamingo Wash moved.

8 Despite The Massive Tunnels The City Still Floods

It does not often rain in Las Vegas throughout the year. However, during the monsoon season, a massive storm can dump inches of rain. During one of these storms, it is not uncommon for the city to experience dangerous flooding, even with the extensive drainage system in place.

7 Despite The Tunnels, It Still Floods In Some Casinos

There have been several occasions when there was flooding in casinos despite measures the city has taken to protect them. One of the most common places for flooding is Ceasar's Palace. Water has rushed into the casino and the underground mall there several times.

6 Millions Of Gallons Of Water Can Fill The Tunnels When It Rains

It is not uncommon for millions of gallons of water to fill the tunnels during a flash flood. The rushing water creates dangerous situations for anyone in or around the area, especially since the water fills the system very quickly after it starts raining.

5 Homeless People Started Living In The Tunnels Shortly After They Were Built

Not long after the building of the storm drains, homeless people began living in them. They quickly realized they could go underground to sleep at night and to get out of the blazing desert sun during the day. Underground, the temperatures are much milder during the day.

4 Now, There Are More Than 2,000 People Living In The Tunnels Under The Strip

Today, authorities and outreach workers believe more than 2,000 people are living under the Las Vegas Strip. These people build makeshift homes in the closed channels. However, the tunnels are dangerous if it begins to rain, and the people who live there are in danger of losing everything.

3 The Tunnels Have No Lighting

There is no lighting in the storm tunnels. The only light down there comes from grating that is meant to allow water in during a storm. When crews enter the tunnels to do work or try to help the people living in them they use flashlights or battery-operated lighting.

2 The Tunnels Under The Vegas Strip Have Attracted National Attention

For years, the storm drain system in Las Vegas has attracted national attention, whether it is in the form of news articles, TV shows, documentaries, or outreach programs trying to put together relief for the many tunnel residents. Former residents have even been on the Dr. Phil show.

1 Artists Go Into The Tunnels To Do Graffiti

Despite being one of the most dangerous places in Las Vegas, many artists travel into the tunnels to practice their art forms. Numerous graffiti murals that are almost too beautiful to be hidden cover the enclosed walls of the massive storm drainage system.