Lake Mead

Lake Mead — located on the Colorado River, about 24 miles (39 kilometers) southeast of Las Vegas — is the largest reservoir in the United States. It was formed in the 1930s by the construction of Hoover Dam and supplies water to more than 25 million people across California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

After decades of drought and rising water demand, the lake’s water level has dropped dramatically. In 2022, it reached a new record low of 1,040 feet (317 meters), exposing intake pipes, drying out marinas, and raising alarms across the Southwest. As of 2025, levels have stabilized somewhat thanks to conservation efforts and wet winters.

Source imagery: Maxar