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Lake Mohave, Arizona & Nevada, USA

Lake Mohave is a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River that spans 28,260 acres. It is a part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and was created by the construction of Davis Dam to capture water releases upstream from Hoover Dam. The 64-mile long reservoir runs along the Arizona/Nevada state line. Davis Dam, located 67 miles south of Hoover Dam, was constructed in 1953 to form…
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    • All About Lake Mohave, AZ/NV

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - Arizona - West Coast Region, AZ - US West Region - Nevada - Las Vegas Territory, NV -

    Lake Mohave is a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River that spans 28,260 acres. It is a part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and was created by the construction of Davis Dam to capture water releases upstream from Hoover Dam. The 64-mile long reservoir runs along the Arizona/Nevada state line.

    Davis Dam, located 67 miles south of Hoover Dam, was constructed in 1953 to form Lake Mohave. Hoover Dam impounds Lake Mead, which was created to harness the runoff from the Colorado River and create a new water supply and hydropower source. Long before the Hoover Dam was constructed, the area where Lakes Mead and Mohave now sit was inhabited by desert Native American tribes and innovative explorers who found ways to brave the desert heat.

    Because Lake Mohave is surrounded by canyons and cliffs, there are only a few areas of lakeside development. Two important resort areas, Katherine’s Landing and Cottonwood Cove, provide visitors with numerous resources. Katherine’s Landing is located near Bullhead City, Arizona and Cottonwood Cove is on the Nevada side near Searchlight. Both resorts offer boat supply and repair resources, boat rentals and fishing supplies and licenses. They also have recreation and lodging facilities, with each area boasting a restaurant, a lakefront motel, an RV park, a beach and a marina. There are other beach areas along the lake where boaters can stop to picnic or swim. Willow Beach on the Arizona side has a gas dock.

    Recreational activities at Lake Mohave are largely comprised of water sports. There are a few hiking trails in the area, but hiking in the desert is not recommended during the summer months. The rocky terrain may not suit every hiker, but those who decide to hit the trails may catch some spectacular desert views. The desert wildlife is unlike what you might find in other areas of the country. Hikers may encounter Bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes and foxes, as well as declining numbers of the endangered desert tortoise. Anglers should note that the waters of Lake Mohave are quite cool on the North side near the Hoover Dam. In this part of the lake anglers will have luck fishing for rainbow trout. On the lake’s south side, warmer waters reveal populations of largemouth and striped bass.

    Visitors to Lake Mohave should be aware that air temperatures during the summer can reach dangerous levels, with the average high for July in the 110s. These warm air temperatures do make for warmer waters, so swimmers may find them to be an asset rather than a drawback. The hot summer months give way to mild fall and winter temperatures, so outdoor recreation at Lake Mohave is possible year-round.

    Things to Do at Lake Mohave

    These are some activities in the Lake Mohave, AZ/NV area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Wildlife Viewing

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Mohave?

    Lake Mohave has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Striped Bass
    • Trout
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Mohave

    If you’re considering a Lake Mohave lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Lake Mohave Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Mohave lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Mohave Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: US Bureau of Reclamation

    Surface Area: 28,260 acres

    Shoreline Length: 150 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 647 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 0 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 655 feet

    Maximum Depth: 120 feet

    Water Volume: 1,818,330 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1953

    Drainage Area: 923 sq. miles

    Lake Mohave Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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