Wild Horse Reservoir facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wild Horse Reservoir
Wild Horse Reservoir viewed from northwest
Wild Horse Reservoir Location in Nevada
Location	Elko County, Nevada
Coordinates	41°40′0.32″N 115°48′24.99″W / 41.6667556°N 115.8069417°W / 41.6667556; -115.8069417
Type	Reservoir
Primary inflows	Owyhee River, Hot Creek, Penrod Creek, Warm Creek, Poorman Creek
Primary outflows	Owyhee River
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	2,830 acres (11.5 km2)
Average depth	40 feet (12 m)
Max. depth	70 feet (21 m)
Water volume	71,500 acre-feet (88,200,000 m3)
Surface elevation	6,208 feet (1,892 m)

Wild Horse Reservoir is a man-made lake in Elko County, Nevada in the United States. The reservoir was initially created in 1937 by the construction of Wild Horse Dam. In 1969, a new concrete single-angle arch dam was constructed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation for the Bureau of Indian Affairs with a height of 87 feet (27 m) and a length of 458 feet (140 m) at its crest. The original 1937 dam was left in place and is still partly visible. The newer dam doubled the size of the reservoir.

The reservoir impounds the Owyhee River for flood control and irrigation storage, part of the larger Duck Valley Irrigation Project. The dam and reservoir are owned and administered by the BIA, and leased to the nearby Duck Valley Indian Reservation (Sho-Pai). Recreation on the lake includes fishing for trout, bass, catfish and perch. The state of Nevada also maintains the adjacent Wild Horse State Recreation Area.

The small community of Wild Horse is located on the south shore.

Gallery

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  Double dams of Wild Horse Reservoir

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  Wild Horse Reservoir viewed from rock outcrop above dam

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  Wild Horse Dam viewed from downstream

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  Sign describing Wild Horse Dam

Climate

Wild Horse Reservoir has a humid continental climate (Dfb) bordering on a subalpine climate (Dfc). Summers are warm to hot with brisk nights, and tend to be drier than other times of the year. Winters are very chilly with heavy snowfall and nights near zero. The snowpack usually peaks during February at around 19 inches (48.3 cm).