Lake Mead

Lake Mead

May 11, 2011

Lake Mead is located on the Colorado River about 30 mi (48 km) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada spanning into Arizona.  The lake was named after "Elwood Mead (1858–1936), who was the 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".¹. It is the largest manmade lake in the United States, formed by water stored by the Hoover Dam.  It is part of the Boulder Dam Recreation Area later renamed the Lake Mead National Recreational Area in 1964.  The Hoover Dam is located where the Colorado River meets Lake Mead.

Water from snow melt in the Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah Rocky Mountains is the main source of water in Lake Mead.  The water level has been dropping since 1953 and is currently at 39 percent capacity.  The bathtub ring is clearly visible in the picture.  We were quite surprised at how low the water was.  We noticed the lower level even from the plane.  The declining water that threatens fresh water source in Las Vegas and surrounding are is noticeable in the casinos and rooms.  There are water conservation signs urging visitors to indicate if they want their sheets changed otherwise housekeeping with only make the bed.  They only change out towels that have been placed on the floor as towels replaced on the rack indicate the visitor will reuse them.  More of the resorts and casinos are using xeroscaping and artificial turf to reduce the amount of water needed for landscaping purposes.  We saw a lot less sprinklers in action.  The water in the many gorgeous indoor and outdoor fountains is recycled as well. 

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