History Lake Mead

elwood mead

the lake named after elwood mead, commissioner of u.s. bureau of reclamation 1924 1936, during planning , construction of boulder canyon project created dam , lake. lake mead established boulder dam recreation area in 1936 administrated national park service. name changed lake mead national recreation area in 1964, , lake mohave , shivwits plateau added jurisdiction. both lakes , surrounding area offer year-round recreation options.

the accumulated water hoover dam forced evacuation of several communities, notably st. thomas, nevada, last resident left town in 1938. ruins of st. thomas visible when water level in lake mead drops below normal. lake mead covered sites of colorado river landings of callville , rioville, nevada, , river crossing of bonelli s ferry, between arizona , nevada.

at lower water levels, high-water mark or bathtub ring visible in photos show shoreline of lake mead. bathtub ring white because of deposition of minerals on submerged surfaces.