Lake Mohave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Mohave |
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Lake Mohave across from Cottonwood Cove
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 Lake Mohave
Location in Nevada
Lake Mohave
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mohave County, Arizona / Clark County, Nevada, US |
| Coordinates | 35°26′14″N 114°38′37″W / 35.43722°N 114.64361°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 26,500 acres (10,700 ha) |
| Average depth | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Water volume | 246.1 million cubic metres (199,500 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface elevation | 647 ft (197 m) |
Lake Mohave is a large reservoir (a man-made lake) located on the Colorado River. It sits between the Hoover Dam and Davis Dam, forming part of the border between Nevada and Arizona in the United States. This beautiful lake is about 67 miles long and up to 4 miles wide. It covers an area of about 28,260 acres.
Lake Mohave is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This area is managed by the U.S. National Park Service. It's a popular spot for outdoor fun and exploring nature.
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Fun Things to Do at Lake Mohave
Lake Mohave is a great place for many outdoor activities all year round. The water stays warm enough for swimming even in cooler months. Its clear waters are perfect for boating, swimming, and fishing. The surrounding desert offers chances for hiking and seeing wildlife.
There are three main resorts on Lake Mohave: Katherine Landing and Willow Beach in Arizona, and Cottonwood Cove in Nevada. Katherine Landing and Cottonwood Cove offer places to stay, RV parks, campgrounds, restaurants, stores, and marinas.
Popular activities include:
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Water skiing
You can rent boats and other watercraft nearby. Towns like Bullhead City and Laughlin are close to the lake. They offer many places to eat, shop, and find supplies for your adventures.
Exploring Underwater: Scuba Diving
The Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which includes Lake Mohave, is a good place for scuba diving. Both new and experienced divers can find interesting spots.
At Lake Mohave, divers can explore Black Canyon. The water here is very clear, making for great diving. For more experienced divers, Ringbolt Rapids offers a challenge with its faster water. There are also sunken boats to explore, like a tow barge that sank in 1946 near Work Barge on the Arizona side. Cabinsite Point has two boat wrecks to see.
Personal Watercraft Rules
If you want to use a personal watercraft (PWC) on Lake Mohave, there are rules about engine types. Only PWCs with four-stroke engines are allowed. Also, two-stroke engines that meet certain environmental standards (EPA 2006) can be used. Older two-stroke PWCs with carbureted engines are not allowed. These rules help protect the lake's environment.
Relaxing in Hot Springs
The area around Lake Mohave has a volcanic past. This means there are several natural hot springs, especially in the northern part of the lake.
- Gold Strike Hot Springs: This popular spot is close to the lake shore. You can reach it by a short hike from a trailhead near the Hoover Dam. It's a favorite because it's easy to get to and has consistent pools of warm water.
- Two Mile Hot Springs and Arizona Hot Springs: These springs are also in the same area. They offer a more private experience for visitors.
Fish Living in Lake Mohave
Lake Mohave is home to many different kinds of fish. Some are native to the area, while others have been introduced.
Native Fish Species
These fish are naturally found in the waters of Lake Mohave:
- Razorback sucker (This fish is endangered, meaning it's at risk of disappearing forever.)
- Bonytail chub (This fish is also endangered.)
Introduced Fish Species
These fish were brought to Lake Mohave by people:
- Rainbow trout
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Striped bass
- Crappie
- Sunfish
- Channel catfish
- Common carp
- Threadfin shad
Helping Fish Thrive
There are special projects to help the fish populations in Lake Mohave.
The Nevada Division of Wildlife helps the sport fish (the ones people like to catch). They place artificial habitats in coves around the lake. These habitats are made from bundled salt cedar trees attached to wooden pallets. When placed in the water, they create safe places for sport fish to hide and live.
There's also a big effort to protect the endangered razorback sucker. Each spring, scientists use underwater lights to collect about 30,000 razorback sucker babies (larvae) from the lake's shore. This is important because other fish might eat them. The larvae are then taken to the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery. Here, they grow in protected areas for up to three years. Once they are about 14 inches long, they are released back into Lake Mohave. This helps them avoid being eaten by larger fish like striped bass.
Images for kids
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Lake Mohave from Spirit Mountain.
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Six Mile Cove at Lake Mohave, Nevada.
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An aerial view of the northern end of Lake Mohave, just south of Davis Dam.
