Lake water quality: Chapter 4 in A synthesis of aquatic science for management of Lakes Mead and Mohave
Circular
1381-4
This report is Chapter 4 in A synthesis of aquatic science for management of Lakes Mead and Mohave. For more information, see: Circular 1381
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Abstract
Given the importance of the availability and quality of water in Lake Mead, it has become one of the most intensely sampled and studied bodies of water in the United States. As a result, data are available from sampling stations across the lake (fig. 4-1 and see U.S. Geological Survey Automated Water-Quality Platforms) to provide information on past and current (2012) water-quality conditions and on invasive species that influence—and are affected by—water quality. Water quality in Lakes Mead and Mohave generally exceeds standards set by the State of Nevada to protect water supplies for public uses: drinking water, aquatic ecosystem health, recreation, or agricultural irrigation. In comparison to other reservoirs studied by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for a national lake assessment (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2010), Lake Mead is well within the highest or ‘good’ category for recreation and aquatic health (see U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Lakes Assessment and Lake Mead for more details). While a small part of the lake, particularly Las Vegas Bay, is locally influenced by runoff from urbanized tributaries such as Las Vegas Wash, contaminant loading in the lake as a whole is low compared to other reservoirs in the nation, which are influenced by runoff from more heavily urbanized watersheds (Rosen and Van Metre, 2010).
Suggested Citation
Tietjen, T., Holdren, G.C., Rosen, M.R., Veley, R.J., Moran, M.J., Vanderford, B., Wong, W., Drury, D.D., 2012, Lake water quality: Chapter 4 in A synthesis of aquatic science for management of Lakes Mead and Mohave: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1381-4, 34 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/cir13814.
ISSN: 2330-5703 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Lake water quality: Chapter 4 in A synthesis of aquatic science for management of Lakes Mead and Mohave |
| Series title | Circular |
| Series number | 1381-4 |
| DOI | 10.3133/cir13814 |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Nevada Water Science Center |
| Description | 34 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Report |
| Larger Work Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Larger Work Title | A synthesis of aquatic science for management of Lakes Mead and Mohave (CIR 1381) |
| First page | 35 |
| Last page | 68 |
| Other Geospatial | Lake Mead National Recreation Area |