Lake Mead
Watershed Hydrology
The Lake Mead Watershed, also known as HUC 15010005, covers an area of 15,000 square miles in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. The watershed is hydrologically complex, with a diverse range of ecosystems and landscapes, including mountains, deserts, and forests. The watershed receives water from the Colorado River and its tributaries, which supply surface water for irrigation, drinking, and recreational activities. Snowpack in the watershed is variable, with some areas receiving significant snowfall while others receive very little. The watershed is home to Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, which contains water from the Colorado River. The lake's water quality is affected by excess nutrients, sediment, and pollutants from urban and agricultural areas. The region is also experiencing a warming trend, with temperatures increasing by 1-2 degrees Fahrenheit over the past century. These changes have impacted the hydrology and ecosystems of the watershed, with reduced snowpack and earlier snowmelt affecting water availability and timing of runoff.