Lake Mead

Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake and reservoir in the United States. It is located on the Colorado River about 30 mi(48 km) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, between the states of Nevada and Arizona. Formed by water impounded by Hoover Dam, it extends 110 mi (180 km) behind the dam, holding approximately 28.5 million acre feet (35 km³) of water. The water held in Lake Mead is released via aqueducts to communities in southern California and Nevada.

Related Topics:
Lake - Reservoir - United States - Colorado River - Las Vegas - Nevada - Arizona - Hoover Dam - Aqueduct - California

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The lake was named after Elwood Mead, who was commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1924 to 1936 during the planning and construction of the Boulder Canyon Project that created the dam and lake.

Related Topics:
Elwood Mead - U.S. Bureau of Reclamation - 1924 - 1936

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The Lake Mead National Recreation Area was established in 1964 and offers year-round recreation options.

Related Topics:
Lake Mead National Recreation Area - 1964

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The accumulated water from Hoover Dam forced the evacuation of several communities, most notably St. Thomas, Nevada, whose last resident left the town in 1938. The ruins of St. Thomas are sometimes visible when the water level in Lake Mead drops below normal.

Related Topics:
Evacuation - St. Thomas, Nevada - 1938

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Access from the northwest from interstate 15 is through Valley of Fire State Park and the Moapa Indian Reservation.

Related Topics:
Interstate 15 - Valley of Fire State Park - Moapa Indian Reservation

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