Lake Mead
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S., which is the main source of water supply for Southern California and Nevada. It is located on the Colorado River, forty-eight miles southeast of Las Vegas.
The lake is located on the border of the states of Nevada and Arizona. The lake is formed from the construction of the Hoover Dam. Lake Mead extends 180 km.
The dam is named after Elwood Mead, who was commissioner of the bureau of water projects in the U.S. from 1924 to 1936, during the planning and construction of Hoover Dam as a result of which the lake was established.
During construction of Hoover Dam, because of the danger of drowning, people were evacuated from several populated points, and the last resident of St. Thomas, Nevada, left town in 1938.
The ruins of the city are visible when water levels drop.
In 1983 was the year that the most water gathered in the dam. The reason for this phenomenon was unusually high rainfall in the western United States as a result of an El Nino storm.
The National recreation area of Lake Mead was created in 1964. The most popular entertainment feature for local and foreign tourists are boat rides, fishing, swimming and water ski rides.
Lake Mead has many picturesque bays with rocky shores and sandy beaches. The lake has a small botanical garden, known as the Alan Bible Botanical Garden. It presents cacti and trees.
Lake Mead is visited by ten million tourists each year. This is the fifth most visited park in the system of National Parks of the United States. In fact, the construction of the dam and the presence of thousands of developers led to the legalization of gambling in Nevada and the growth of the city.
Before Lake Mead this part of the Mojave Desert in Arizona was just inhospitable terrain without roads, mostly due to the high summer temperatures. Now this area is filled with attractions and attracts people from around the world.
Near Lake Mead is the small Lake Mojave, which was created by Davis Dam. Lake Mead has pervaded much of the desert, and has covered many canyons and small villages.
Most beaches around Lake Mead can be reached only by boat. Lake Mead is especially attractive for its water sports and attractions.
The west side of Lake Mead is full of camping spots. Camping is allowed beyond the coastline, which is sandy and is situated in the covenant.
Lake Mead presents the intersection of three desert ecosystems - The Mojave Desert, The Great Basin Desert and Sonoran Desert.
Many tourists visit Lake Mead and Hoover Dam for a day, as part of a tourist trip. People who love the beauty of wildlife, must visit Lake Mead.
The area around it is full of different kinds of plants and animals. Most of them hide during the day, fearful of the large amount of people around the lake and can be seen only at night or late evening. Over two hundred and forty species of birds and over fifty-five species of animals can be seen around the lake if you have enough luck and patience.
In the lake there are different types of fish, but fishing is allowed only for fishermen with valid permits. Here you can catch catfish, which is considered a true culinary delicacy.
