Lake Mead

Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake in the United States. It is located in the Colorado River about 247 sq mi (640 sq km) on the Nevada to Arizona border formed by Hoover Dam. The lake is 115 mi (185 km) long from 1 to 8 mi (1.6–12.9 km) wide and 589 ft (180 m) at its maximum depth; it has one of the largest capacity reservoirs in the United States. Lake Mead, with its 550 mi (885 km) shoreline, is the focal point of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

One of the many aspects of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area that continually draws visitors is its good weather. Many people come just to relax and have fun in the land of the sun. Refugees from states hit hard by winter's icy grasp often flee to this area to spend a mild winter. Sunbathers and water skiers spend summers here to toast in the 110 degree F temperatures. The area generally has less than five inches of annual rainfall. Water temperatures may range from 45 degrees F. to 85 degrees F. at different times of the year. Each year, Lake Mead receives a minimum amount of Colorado River water from these states, known as the "Upper Basin" states. And each year, a specific amount of water is released from Lake Mead to users in Nevada, Arizona, California and Mexico. In an average year, the amount of water flowing out of Lake Mead exceeds the amount of water flowing into Lake Mead.

Lake Mead offers many types of recreation to locals and visitors. Boating is the most popular. Additional activities include fishing, water skiing, swimming, and relaxing to the heat of the sun. Boaters need to be careful when Lake Mead's water elevation drops. Unmarked reefs are exposed or are just below the surface of the water. Boating at night or at faster speeds can be dangerous. Special care also needs to be taken on the launch ramps. On the other hand, Lake Mead is a perfect place to those who wish for a scuba diving. As a matter of fact, it is one of the finest fresh-water dive sites in the world. There are a variety of fish to see including striped bass, largemouth bass, bluegill perch, channel catfish, black crappie, shad, carp, and turtles.

There are a huge number of historical and just plain fun sites to dive on. The area also has many coves with rocky cliffs and sandy beaches to explore. There are numerous small to medium-sized islands in the lake area depending on the water level. In Lake Mead you can dive the cove on the Arizona side of Hoover Dam, Wishing Well, or the 70-foot houseboat called the Marry-maker. You will also find some surprises while at depth like the Batch Factory as the locals call it. The Batch Factory is actually the main mixing plant where the concrete was made for the construction of Hoover Dam and was left to become a piece of history at the bottom of Lake Mead.