Lake Mead

The largest man-made lake in the US, Lake Mead, the reservoir created by Hoover Dam, has more than 500 miles of shoreline and covers 247 square miles. It is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, created in 1964, which also includes Lake Mohave, by Davis Dam. Lake Mead is named after Dr. Elwood Mead, a Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation.

Ninety-seven percent of the water in Lake Mead comes from the Colorado River, and the remaining three percent comes from the Virgin and Muddy rivers and the Las Vegas Wash.

More than 9 million people visit this park every year, which has 9 full-service marinas: Overton Beach, Echo Bay, Lake Mead, Calville Bay, Las Vegas Bay, Temple Bar, Willow Beach, all at Lake Mead; and Katherine Landing and Cottonwood Cove, at Lake Mohave.

Lake Mead is the only lake in Nevada with outlet to the sea. The lake was created from the Colorado river, which flows into the Gulf of California.

About 90 percent of the water used in Las Vegas comes from Lake Mead and the rest comes from a deep groundwater aquifer beneath the Las Vegas valley.

Attractions

Boulder Beach. 28 miles southeast. 800-752-9669. Beach, picnic area, store, restaurant, lounge, motel, cruises, marina.

Calville Bay and Cottonwood Cove. 30 miles southwest. 800-255-5561. Store, cafe, lounge, RV park, marina, showers, auto fuel, houseboat rental.

Echo Bay. 54 miles southeast. 394-4000. Store, restaurant, lounge, marina, RV park, campground, air strip, boat rental.

Hoover Dam and Visitor Center. 40 miles southeast. 293-8321. Visitor center, tours, restaurant, gift shop.

Lake Mead Ferry Service. 3.5 miles past Alan Bible Visitor Center on Lake Shore Rd. Cruises, tours, and charter boats.

Lake Mead Fish Catchery. One mile north of Boulder Beach. 486-6738. Produces 500,000 rainbow trout annually.

Overton Beach. 60 miles northeast. 800-553-5452. Store, trailer and RV park, watercraft rental, marina.

Visit the Alan Bible Visitor Center for detailed information about Lake Mead and free maps. It is located four miles northeast of Boulder City at the junction of highway 93 and Lakeshore Dr. Open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. See also www.nps.gov/lame.