2018 Map of Lahontan Dam

About this map

Lahontan Dam stands as the central engineering feat of this landscape, impounding the waters of the Carson River to form the expansive Lahontan Reservoir. This 2018 survey illustrates the critical intersection of water management and desert geography along the Lyon and Churchill county line. The reservoir’s irregular shoreline is defined by notable points such as Blackbird Point and Drum Point, while the southern reaches taper into The Narrows. Surrounding the water, the arid environment is shaped by the Virginia Range to the northwest and the Dead Camel Mountains to the south. Irrigation infrastructure, including the Rock Dam Ditch and its branches, highlights the area's agricultural reliance on the dam. Recreational access is visible at Churchill Beach and Sixmile Beach, contrasting with the stark reaches of the Twenty-Six Mile Desert to the north.