Study of existing information concerning water quality within Lake Mead

Authors

Vicki Scharnhorst
Southern Nevada Water Authority

Document Type

Technical Report

Publication Date

2-25-1994

Abstract

The purpose of Task 010A15M of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) Treatment and Transmission Facility (TTF) contract is to conduct a study of existing information concerning water quality within Lake Mead and identify additional water quality studies that are needed to supplement existing data.

The objective of this task is not to discuss treatability of the raw water source; this is addressed by Task 010A18M, "Define Water Treatment Requirements." In addition, a narrative on the effect of pending Safe Drinking Water Act amendments and a determination of treated water quality goals is included in Task 010A16M, "Review Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Regulatory Impacts."

Lake Mead has the largest surface area of any reservoir in the Northern Hemisphere. Bordered by Arizona and Nevada, the lake was created by the impoundment of the Colorado River behind Hoover Dam. The dam was constructed in 1935 to control flooding and provide a dependable water source, which now supplies about 20 million people in the desert Southwest and Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the water resources of the reservoir, and the National Park Service administers the recreation facilities at the reservoir.

Keywords

Aquatic chemistry; Chlorophyll; Dissolved oxygen; Trihalomethanes; Lake Mead (Ariz. and Nev.); Phytoplankton; Water temperature

Disciplines

Biochemistry | Biology | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Fresh Water Studies | Water Resource Management

Language

English

Repository Citation

Scharnhorst, V., Southern Nevada Water Authority (1994). Study of existing information concerning water quality within Lake Mead.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/water_pubs/104