Lake Mead: Boat Ramps, Water Levels And Lake Safety

Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer, and lake season at Lake Mead.

Ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend on Lake Mead, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and National Park Service (NPS) are talking safety for all recreationists.

Last year water levels were dropping to historic lows, and Lake Mead Recreation Area saw a little over 20,000 people visit over the course of Memorial Day weekend. Due to a record snowpack and a recent water release from Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Mead's water levels have risen about five feet so far. Those rising levels are translating to more ramps opening and many more people coming back for boating this year.

The week leading up to Memorial Day weekend is recognized as National Safe Boating Week, a national campaign where state and federal agencies promote safe boating.

Emilee Cain, a game warden with NDOW told KSNV News 3, “The most important thing we're pushing is that there are enough life jackets onboard for everybody," and that they are the proper size.  If anything happens, you need to put them on. Any child under 13 needs to be wearing it at all times on a boat unless they're in an enclosed compartment.” Cain said law enforcement will be covering from Lake Mead all the way down to Laughlin this weekend.

Leave the pool toys at home. No pool noodles or other inflation toys, because they present major safety concerns. Jonathan Jackson, a Mojave District Ranger with NPS says, the wind will often pick up their $2 beach ball, and blow it into the water. "Then people want their ball back, so they go swimming after them. And then it ends poorly. Your life is worth more than that.” Pool toys have been outlawed on the lake, and proper life jackets are US Coast Guard certified.

Jackson also stressed driving the speed limit in the recreation area due to the windy roads and getting a sober ride home for those who have been drinking.

If you're observing Memorial day with family, on Lake Mead - do it safely!

I've had so much fun at, and on Lake Mead over the years - as you can see in the pictures. But it's scary what is happening to our lake.

As of last weekend, the depth of Lake Mead is about 1045 feet above sea level, it has lost another 6 feet of water in just one month, and is now at 29% capacity.

The six foot drop in just one month is a lot, but there are a lot of reasons beyond over usage: The Bureau of Reclamation has held back water from Lake Powell to allow power to be generated at the Glen Canyon Dam is one reason, the severe prolonged drought and evaporation are also taking a toll.

If the level continues to fall a water shortage will be declared for 2023. This would mean a reduction in the water allocated to us here in the Vegas valley. Last year we used 242,000 acre feet of water with an allocation of 300,000 acre feet. FYI: An acre foot of water is what two average households use per year.

I know firsthand how low the lake is. How? I had to pay for a prop on a boat rental because I got too close to a rock - that was about 50 feet from the shore!

Have fun on the lake, but be careful out there!

Easy to see how low the lake level has dropped, by the rings.