THIRSTY
Jamie Chen / Shaoqun Zhao
Lithium mining raises significant concerns about its environmental impacts, especially its water-intensive processes in dry climates. Despite lithium’s reputation as a key element powering the “green” energy transition, the complex entanglements between lithium mining and water overuse require closer examination in regions under hydric stress.
In Nevada, Silver Peak Lithium Mine is the only active site in the US, but numerous mining claims and ongoing lithium prospections in the State anticipate groundwater over-extraction and further depletion of aquifers. In a region where agriculture, mining, and tourism compete for every drop, how can we ensure that local communities and wildlife will not go thirsty?
With regional groundwater as the main source of water supply, the disparity in water access and distribution raises questions about Lithium’s insistence on its “first in time, first in right” claims. Given the existing and projected concerns regarding recurring and intensifying droughts and water scarcity, how can local water rights advance the struggle for environmental justice for humans and not humans alike?
Through environmental storytelling, our design gives visibility to three instances in the conflict between water rights and public trust resources at the heart of this lithium-rich region: the Walker River Paiute Tribal Reservation, the Silver Peak Mine, and the City of Tonopah. First, the Reservation’s Water Commons offers a space of celebration and joy for the Indigenous Community that has long stewarded water in the region. At Silver Peak, wildlife reclaims a small water oasis out of the endless pools of dormant lithium. Last, a water tower emerges in Tonopah telling of the many miles that water travels underground to reach the city. Through these sites, our investigation offers a glimpse of this water-thirsty territory and the importance of overcoming utilitarian approaches to infrastructure to instead celebrate life.
“[T]he public trust [doctrine] is more than an affirmation of state power to use public property for public purposes. It is an affirmation of the duty of the state to protect the people’s common heritage of streams, lakes, marshlands, and tidelands, surrendering that right of protection only in rare cases when the abandonment of that right is consistent with the purposes of the trust.” Our dwindling natural resources deserve no less.
Mineral County I, 20 P.3d at 809 (Rose, J., concurring). In “Walker Lake and the Public Trust in Nevada’s Waters.”. Blumm Lewis and Smith, 2022.
Actor Network
Relationship between lithium extraction & water
Water Contestation
Water Supply Intervention
“First in time, first in right”
“Use it or lose it”
“Water belongs to the public”
Pure Energy Minerals
Water Right Wildlife
Water Permit
Lithium Companies
Division of Water Resource Mining Permit
Division of Minerals
SLB
Albemarle
Climate Change
Drought
Minority
NEVADA WATER CONFLICT
Lithium
Rush
Nature
Conservancy
Workers
Indian Reservation
Tonopah
BLM
Silver
Climate Map
Climate & drought conditions in Nevada
Nevada experiences extreme climate conditions, marked by both droughts and floods. An analysis of the state’s natural data revealed that water resources are distributed unevenly. This disparity is particularly evident in regions like Indian reservations, Tonopah, and Silver Peak, which is the focal point of our project. These areas often face arid conditions with limited precipitation, and the closest significant water body is Walker Lake.
Lithium Map
Lithium & drought conditions in Nevada
By closely examining the water landscape, we can identify areas where water is predominantly stored in reservoirs (dams), areas where it is extensively pumped, and regions with abundant groundwater resources. In the case of the Tonopah region, we’ve noticed a substantial amount of water pumping compared to the state average, with a heavy reliance on groundwater.
Water Map
Climate & drought conditions in Nevada
Our map illustrates the distribution of lithium deposits and claims, overlaying these with renewable energy resources such as solar. However, due to the uneven distribution of water resources, coupled with the state’s challenging natural conditions, the viability of this lithium paradise raises concerns and uncertainties.
Our design focuses on three key um-rich region: The Walker River ver Peak, and Tonopah. Through insight into water sources and accessibility ing complex challenges and opportunities supply infrastructure.
key sites in the center of the lithiRiver Paiute Tribal Reservation, Sil-
Through our investigations, we gained accessibility at these sites, revealopportunities for enhancing water infrastructure.
Sites of Water Contestation
Water Supply Intervention
Walker
Lake Reservation
Population: over 1200 inh.
Area: 529.970 square miles
Water issue: Wonder and Joy
Population: 2,478 inh.
Area: 16.2 square miles
Water issue: Infrastructural Visibility
Silver Peak
Population: 216 inh.
Area:378.8 square miles
Water issue: Wildlife Reservoir
Tonopah
Walker River Reservation
Current situation
Joining the struggle for access to water quality and the celebration of indigenous traditions brings together communities from diverse backgrounds in a united effort to protect our environment and honor the rich cultural heritage of our indigenous peoples.
Indian Reservation
Walker River/ Wells Problem
Remote access to water
Walker River Reservation
Walker River Reservation
Current situation
Road
Culture Walker river reservation has two essential roads and the site we choose is close to the main transportation system which is convenient for people to access
The design site is close to other major cultural sites which could form a cultural system for indegineous people.
On the center of Walker river reservation has a lot of potential agriculture area which also near to the design site.
Agriculture River
The Walker River Reservation’s water system runs through much of the area, and the design site is located at the center of the water system.
Walker River Reservation
Existing water infrastructures
With water being scarce and
infrastructures
What is left for the community
Walker River
infrastructures serving important issues, community to enjoy water?
Walker River Reservation
Celebration of Water Park
Create Canal
Attract Residence
Design a space
Tonopah
Monumentalizing and celebrating water infrastructure is a testament to the indispensable role it plays in our communities, highlighting its vital contributions to our daily lives, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of future generations
Residents of Tonopah
Reduced water use Problem
Distance water supply
Water for mining industry
Tonopah
Tonopah
Current situation
Land Use
In Tonopah, the commercial area is located on the side of the main road.
Water Pipe
The water tower is designed to be located at a higher level in order to organize the entire water system.
Mining Map
The site designed for the installation of the water tower is located on the opposite side of the Tonopah mountain.
Road
Design water towers away from the road system so as not to interfere with it.
Current situation
Tonopah
Tonopah
Mining site
Water pipe
Water Pipe
Water Tower
Attract Human
WHATANAMAZING WATERTOWER!!!!!!
Silver Peak Castle of the Li Boundary
Designing a whimsical oasis where wildlife can access fresh water, while also emphasizing the ongoing conflict between humans and wildlife, requires a delicate balance of coexistence and conservation, where the beauty of nature's creatures can thrive alongside our own human presence.
Evaporation
Extracting
Clayton Vally
Groundwater pumping
Silver Peak
Lithium
Evaporation
Extracting
Silver Peak
Current situation
Well
In Silver Peak, wells is not used for drinking but for the lithium extraction.
Mining Site
The design site is located on the boundary between a lithium mining area and a wildlife area.
Road
Wildlife Silver Peak’s main road runs through the city center and lithium mining sites.
Silver Peak is home to a variety of wildlife, including mammals, fish, and some birds.
Silver Peak
Current situation
Town of Silver Peak
Evaporation pool
Wildlife
Silver Peak Castle of the Li Boundary
In the heart of Nevada’s endless city whispers intertwine with the a poetic pilgrimage, a rebellion just a design, it’s a whimsical revelation curious, the dreamers, and those
endless desert, where the water scarthe lure of lithium, we embark on against the mundane. It’s not revelation - a manifesto for the those who see beyond the surface.
