Description

Lake Mead – located on the Colorado River, 24 miles (39 kilometers) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – is the largest reservoir in the United States. The lake was formed by the creation of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s. Due to a combination of drought and increased water demand in the surrounding states (specifically California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona), the lake’s water level has lowered drastically in recent years. In 2015, the lake reached a record low of 328 metres (1,075 feet), only 8 metres (25 feet) above one of the major intake pipes for Las Vegas’ supply of drinking water.