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1987 Map of Lake Mead

Name: 1987 Topographic Map of Lake Mead
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

Valley of Fire State Park and the expansive Lake Mead National Recreation Area dominate this desert landscape, where the Colorado River was transformed into a massive reservoir system. This late-1980s data highlights the intricate shoreline from Las Vegas Bay to the narrow reaches of Iceberg Canyon and Virgin Canyon. The map details the transition from the growing urban edges of Henderson and Boulder City to the stark, remote terrain of the Muddy Mountains and Gale Hills.

Logistical and industrial hubs such as Nellis Air Force Base and the Union Pacific railroad line sit adjacent to the recreational developments of Echo Bay and Overton Beach. Geologic and hydrologic features like Rogers Spring and the Grand Wash Cliffs provide points of interest for researchers studying the Mojave's natural history before modern expansion shifted the character of the surrounding basins. The engineering legacy of Hoover Dam serves as the focal point for the region's managed water network, including Gregg Basin and Virgin Basin.