Lake Mead

Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States, located on the Colorado River, near Las Vegas. It was formed during the construction of the Hoover Dam. The length of the lake is 110 miles (180 km), and the total volume of water is 35 cubic km. By long aqueducts, water from the lake is delivered to numerous settlements in Southern California and Nevada.

The name of the reservoir is associated with the name of Elwood Mead, who served as an authorized representative of the U.S. Bureau of Water Projects. The construction of the artificial lake was planned by engineers between 1924 and 1936, when the Hoover Dam project was being developed. Since such large-scale projects as the construction of a dam always fraught with the threat of flooding the surrounding areas, residents of several settlements were evacuated before the project began.

The most famous town in the flood zone is St. Thomas. Its last inhabitant left the city in 1938, and the ruins of St. Thomas can be seen when the water level drops dramatically.

Every year thousands of tourists visit Lake Mead for a holiday. The most popular entertainments are boating, fishing, water skiing and much, much more. There are many picturesque coves with rocky shores and beautiful beaches, as well as a small botanical garden.