Lahontan Reservoir
Lahontan Reservoir, also known as Jackson Meadow or Dorsey Lake, is a large, historically saline endorheic basin in Nevada. Managed primarily for irrigation and flood control, it forms part of the Newlands Project and lies near carser-visitor sites such as Sand Mountain and _Cold Springs. Today, water levels fluctuate seasonally and are sometimes very low, revealing extensive shoreline and mud flats.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Western United States |
| Subregion | Great Basin |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| County | Churchill County |
| District | Lahontan |
| City | Lahontan City |
| Timezone | AmericaLos Angeles |
| Latitude | 39.98 |
| Longitude | -119.22 |
| Maps |
6:14 PM LOCAL TIMELahontan Reservoir is a large, shallow lake in Nevada formed by damming and water management within the _Great Basin hydrologic region. Its basin is inherently endorheic — meaning no natural outlet — and it receives runoff from local streams and groundwater sources rather than significant natural inflows. Historically, the __Lahontan-name referred to a much larger, seasonal desert lake and its associated valley; today, the reservoir is a man-made impoundment created by the Newlands Project infrastructure to support irrigation, flood control, and regional water supply. Its surface area varies markedly with season and management but typically covers around 150 km², with water levels that can fall well below normal pool during drought or drought-operations. Visitors come for desert shoreline, birdwatching, and as a base for nearby recreation at sites like Sand Mountain and Cold Springs_; the reservoir’s shoreline landscape includes mudflats, saline flats, and remnant shoreline features that reveal the extent of historic lake levels. Safety and access vary with water level; check current conditions before planning activities such as boating or shoreline exploration.
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