Paul Runyon Photographs

American Flag,
Navajo Tribal NationOljato-Monument Valley, Utah

The American West, with its inherent irony, is deeply intertwined with the concept of Manifest Destiny and the historical narrative of westward expansion. Manifest Destiny was the belief prevalent in 19th-century America that it was the country's destiny and duty to expand its territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. This belief fueled the push for westward expansion and had profound consequences for both the land and the people of the American West. The American West's history is shaped by the frontier myth. The myth of the rugged individual, epitomized by the cowboy figure, emerged from the West and became deeply ingrained in American culture.

The American West faces significant environmental challenges, including water scarcity, wildfires, droughts, and the impact of climate change. Finding sustainable solutions for water management, energy consumption, and land use will be crucial for the region's future. Water scarcity is a significant concern in the West, given the importance of water for agriculture, cities, and ecosystems. Balancing competing demands and managing water resources sustainably will be crucial for the region's prosperity.

Mural, Green River, Utah

John Wayne Poster,
Navajo Tribal NationOljato-Monument Valley, Utah

Baseball Backstop,
Navajo Tribal NationOljato-Monument Valley, Utah

Roadside Grave Marker,
San Xavier Indian Reservation, AZ

Mural, Monticello, Utah

Photoshoot, John Ford’s Point,
Navajo Tribal NationOljato-Monument Valley, Utah

Bombay Beach, Salton Sea, CA

Beach Soil, Salton Sea, CA

The sediment from the lakebed contains potentially harmful levels of several chemicals including cadmium, copper, and selenium.

Abandoned Pier, Bombay Beach,
Salton Sea, CA

Gas Station, Borrego Springs, CA

Tilapia Bones, Salton Sea, CA

Abandoned Beach Huts, Salton Sea, CA

Palm Trees, Borrego Springs, CA

Salton Sea, Looking West

Salton Sea, CA

Billboard, Moab, Utah

Tourists, Badwater, Death Valley National Park, CA

This viewpoint is one of the hottest places on earth. It has reached in excess of 130 degrees on multiple days in 2023.

Tour Bus, Lake Mead, NV

Cattle Ranch, Utah

Future Site of 13,500 homes, Henderson, NV

Road Construction, Baker, CA

Mural, Tuscon, AZ

Motel, Moapa, NV

Train, Trona, CA

Anza Borrego State Park, CA

Lake Mead, 2023

The "bathtub ring" at Lake Mead is a visible indicator of the lake's water levels and highlights the significant impact of prolonged drought and water scarcity in the western United States.

The "bathtub ring" phenomenon refers to a distinct mineral deposit and discoloration line that forms on the rocks surrounding the lake. This line is visible on the shoreline and exposes lighter-colored rock above a darker, stained section. The "bathtub ring" becomes more apparent when the water level in Lake Mead drops significantly.

The southwestern United States, including states that rely on water from Lake Mead, has been facing a severe and extended drought since the early 2000s. Climate change has exacerbated the situation, leading to reduced snowpack, higher temperatures, and increased evaporation rates, all contributing to lower water inflows into the lake.

Hoover Dam, Lake Mead

Hoover Dam lies at the intersection of the southeast corner of Nevada and the northwest corner of Arizona and impounds Lake Mead, which is the largest reservoir by volume in the United States when it is full.

Las Vegas Bay Marina Overlook

The boat launch formerly served countless boats but now lies 1.5 miles from the lake's edge. The launch was closed in 2003 due to the drought conditions.

Lake Mead, Las Vegas Marina, Abandoned Pier, Looking West

Abandoned Overlook,
Boulder Beach, Lake Mead

Green Area, Henderson, NV

Boulder Beach, Looking East from Pyramid Island, Lake Mead

As on June 23rd, 2023 Lake Mead is at 1,055 feet which is 173 feet below full pool levels of 1,229 feet. The land seen in this image once was under water but due to the ongoing drought conditions, now remains dry.

Boat Launch Extension Construction,
Boulder Harbor, Lake Mead

Many of the boat launches at Lake Mead have been extended to meet the receding water levels. As of May 2023 only one boat launch remained viable. In June 2023, a $32 million award of disaster supplemental funding was announced. The money will be used to help mitigate the issues brought on by the extended drought.

Concrete Mooring, Temple Marina,
Lake Mead, NV

Sunken Speedboat, Government Wash,
Lake Mead

The boat stands some fifteen feet above the water line. Multiple boats and other objects have become visible as the lake levels drop.

Wedding Arch, Calville Bay, Lake Mead, 2023

Calville Bay Marina Dock, Lake Mead, 2023

The floating dock had to be removed from the lake due to the low water conditions.

Storm, Las Vegas Bay, Boat Launch,
Lake Mead, 2023

Calville Bay, Lake Mead, NV

Lake Mead Water Level is at 1056 feet, Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The current level is 172 feet below full pool of 1,229 feet. There have been some recent inflows Lake Powell, as a result of record snow pack in the north but the lake remains far below his full pool levels.

Boat, Government Wash,
Lake Mead, 2023

The lower water level on Lake Mead reveals artifacts from the past, including artifacts, towns once underwater, and bodies.

2021 Water Mark Sign, Calville Bay,
Lake Mead, 2023

Government Wash Boat Launch, Lake Mead, 2023

The launch was closed in 2001, after multiple projects to extend it to the lake’s edge.

Abandoned Dock and Boat Launch,
Temple Bar, Lake Mead, 2023

Decommissioned Fish Cleaning Station,
Las Vegas Bay Marina, Lake Mead

Hemenway Harbor, Lake Mead, Looking West

As of May 2023 Hemenway Harbor was the only operable boat launch on the lake. In June, levels have gone up which may allow some of the other boat launches to become available to the public.

Jet Ski, Callville Bay, Lake Mead, NV

Multiple boats and other artifacts are now visible due to the low water conditions on Lake Mead.

Controlled Burn, Lake Mead, NV

Callville Bay Marina, 2014 and 2023

Las Vegas Wash, looking towards the Las Vegas Strip, Henderson, NV

The Las Vegas Wash is a twelve mile wash which feeds most of the Las Vegas Valley’s excess water into Lake Mead. The wash exists in its present capacity because of the urban population. The wash also works in a systemic conjunction with the pre-existing wetlands that formed the prior oasis of the Las Vegas Valley.

Lake Las Vegas Development, 2014

Lake Las Vegas Development, 2023

Lake Las Vegas is a master-planned community located in Henderson, Nevada, situated around a 320-acre artificial lake. The development covers approximately 3,592 acres and offers a mix of residential, resort, and recreational amenities. It is situated about 17 miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip and is easily accessible from the city of Las Vegas.

Home Sites, Lake Las Vegas, 2023

Home Building Site, Lake Las Vegas, 2023

Home Construction, Lake Las Vegas, 2023

Street Construction, Lake Las Vegas, 2023

Home Construction, Lake Las Vegas, 2023

Building Sites, Lake Las Vegas, 2023

Bridge, Lake Las Vegas, Nevada.

The structure is a reproduction of the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge, built in the 13th century in Florence, Italy.

Waterfall, Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, NV

Lake Las Vegas is the biggest commercial water user in Las Vegas. In 2020, the development used 1.2 billion gallons of water and is on track to surpass that number moving forward.

Artificial Green Area, Lake Las Vegas, NV

A new Las Vegas law requires homeowners to get rid of their lawns by 2027, and some cities in California are even paying residents to rip up their lawns and replace them with drought-friendly alternatives. The measures are intended to help save water, which has become increasingly scant in drought-stricken states like California.