Wild Horse Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wild Horse Reservoir |
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Wild Horse Reservoir viewed from northwest
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 Wild Horse Reservoir
Location in Nevada
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| Location | Elko County, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 41°40′0.32″N 115°48′24.99″W / 41.6667556°N 115.8069417°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Owyhee River, Hot Creek, Penrod Creek, Warm Creek, Poorman Creek |
| Primary outflows | Owyhee River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,830 acres (11.5 km2) |
| Average depth | 40 feet (12 m) |
| Max. depth | 70 feet (21 m) |
| Water volume | 71,500 acre-feet (88,200,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 6,208 feet (1,892 m) |
Wild Horse Reservoir is a large, man-made lake in Elko County, Nevada. It's a special kind of lake called a reservoir, which means it was created by building a dam across a river. This reservoir helps control floods and stores water for farms.
Contents
What is Wild Horse Reservoir?
Wild Horse Reservoir was first made in 1937 when the original Wild Horse Dam was built. Later, in 1969, a new, stronger concrete dam was added. This new dam was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which is a government agency that helps manage water resources. The new dam was much taller and longer, making the reservoir twice as big! The older 1937 dam is still there and you can even see parts of it.
The reservoir holds back the water from the Owyhee River. This water is used for two main things:
- Flood control: It helps stop the river from overflowing and causing floods.
- Irrigation: It stores water that can be used to water crops and farms, especially for the Duck Valley Indian Reservation nearby.
The dam and reservoir are managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). They are leased to the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, which is home to the Sho-Pai people.
Fun Things to Do!
Wild Horse Reservoir is a great place for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy fishing here. You can catch different kinds of fish like trout, bass, catfish, and perch.
The state of Nevada also has a special area next to the reservoir called the Wild Horse State Recreation Area. This area offers even more ways to enjoy nature around the lake.
There's also a small town called Wild Horse located right on the south side of the reservoir.
Pictures of the Reservoir
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Double dams of Wild Horse Reservoir
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Wild Horse Reservoir viewed from rock outcrop above dam
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Wild Horse Dam viewed from downstream
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Sign describing Wild Horse Dam
Weather at Wild Horse Reservoir
The weather at Wild Horse Reservoir changes a lot with the seasons. It has a type of weather called a humid continental climate. This means summers are warm or even hot, but the nights can be cool. Summers are also usually drier than other times of the year.
Winters are very cold, with lots of snow. The temperature can drop close to zero degrees Fahrenheit at night. The most snow usually falls in February.
