The desert covering much of Arizona and Nevada is home to a variety of ecosystems, home to a variety of dangerous creatures, and offers stunning landscapes. You might not expect to find a sparkling oasis among rock formations and tumbleweeds, but that’s exactly what Lake Mead is. It was originally a desert along the Colorado River, but the construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s created the massive reservoir. Lake Mead borders Grand Canyon National Park and covers 2,338 square miles; it is more than 50% larger than the state of Rhode Island and nearly the size of Delaware. In 1964, Lake Mead and much of the surrounding land became the first national recreation area in the United States; millions of visitors visit the 1.5 million-acre preserve each year to admire the water, surrounding landscape and rich cultural heritage of the people who settled the area thousands of years ago.
The impact of all these visitors has left its mark on Lake Mead, particularly in the Government Wash area near the lake’s northwest edge. Wear and tear on the park gradually worsened as visitor numbers outstripped the resources available to support and monitor them. While some visitors continue to practice responsible camping techniques, others take advantage of the lack of supervision, especially on new lands exposed by falling water levels. Long-term campgrounds and RV clusters sprang up outside many of the area’s established facilities; infrastructure was quickly overwhelmed, and crime and vandalism increased dramatically in the area. Park officials closed Lake Mead to vehicle access and overnight camping on Aug. 1, 2024, after responding to 1,365 law enforcement and fire calls over the past five years. With the area closed, staff began assessing the situation and meeting with the local community to develop a plan to revitalize the park.
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How to Help Lake Mead
Love Lake Mead volunteers remove graffiti from rocks – National Park Service
Park officials and volunteers are already working to remove abandoned boats and cars as well as thousands of pounds of other trash and debris. They’ve also added new campsites, some with much-needed toilet and shower facilities. Along with the new bins, this should reduce the amount of waste and rubbish left in the park. The project has been making steady progress, but if you live nearby and want to help, there’s still plenty to do.
National Public Lands Day draws volunteers from across the country, but if you want to help with the government cleanup, you won’t want to miss the next Love Lake Mead event during National Park Week in April and October. The last Love Lake Mead Day in 2025 is October 18, so check the National Park Service’s Love Lake Mead website for the 2026 calendar. While events will be held in different areas around Lake Mead, the current focus is on government-cleaned areas. Opportunities include cleaning up trash, collecting seeds and planting native plants, and removing graffiti. Volunteers of all ages are welcome and can work together to protect and restore the park while enjoying the beautiful area. You can also take a boat ride to help clean up a lake, handle administrative tasks, or intern with the National Park Service. Fill out the volunteer contact form or call (702) 293-8714 for more information.
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Read the original article from Outdoor Guide.