When constructed in the 1930s, Hoover Dam was built to contain the Colorado River and create Lake Mead in Nevada as well as maintain the Lake Mead water level. It’s the world’s 16th-largest man-made lake in the world and one of the best lakes in Nevada. Lake Mead has since amassed its own underwater world full of train tracks, shipwrecks, plane wreckage, cement tunnels, a bus, and a variety of other “treasures.” Take a look at this breathtaking underwater world and let’s find out what’s under Lake Mead.

In 1931, construction began on Hoover Dam to tame the Colorado River, prevent flooding into California's Imperial Valley, and to increase much-needed jobs in the area.
Gary Bembridge/Flickr
Lake Mead is considered to be one of the best freshwater dives in the entire world with its 700 miles of shoreline and incredible depths of over 500 feet in some areas.
Tom Hart/Flickr
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center (SRC) and Lake Mead dive staff are being briefed before a dive.
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center/Facebook
A sunken barge is discovered beneath Lake Mead.
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center/Facebook
An archaeologist/diver taking notes on more discovered underwater "treasure" residing under Lake Mead.
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center
A diver taking detailed notes about a found automobile ferry engine underneath the lake.
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center/Facebook
The remains of a bus deep below Lake Mead.
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center/Facebook
Here, divers are documenting the remains of a car ferry at the bottom of the lake.
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center/Facebook
The remains of a B-29 Superfortress bomber that has been resting in Lake Mead since 1948.
Brett Seymour/Facebook
In 1948, 26-year-old pilot Robert Madison flew his modified B-29 Superfortress with a crew of four others on a low-level pass over the northern part of Lake Mead.
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center/Facebook
During the flight, Madison misjudged the plane's height and struck the water, wrenching three of the four engines from the plane. The fourth engine caught fire before the plane sank.
Brett Seymour/Facebook
Luckily, the crew of five all survived with a broken arm the only injury.
Brett Seymour/Facebook
The remains of the aggregate washing facility for the concrete used to build Hoover Dam and train tracks can be seen.
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center/Facebook

Check out this amazing video of the B29 bomber dive. Other treasures are hiding beneath Lake Mead’s surface. Take a look at this footage of the remains of a PBY-5A plane wreckage from 1949 and the fascinating photographs of Wreck Alley by Steve Fannell of Lake Mead Technical Divers.

From concrete tunnels to train tracks to sunken planes to a downed boat to a lost bus and more, Lake Mead in Nevada is hiding an underwater world of historical artifacts that provide a glimpse into the state’s illustrious history and tragedies. Who (besides divers) knew of this hidden world underneath the seemingly calm waters of Lake Mead? Have you been on any dives and seen these amazing historical artifacts? Please share your thoughts and comments.

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More to Explore

Best Attractions in Nevada

William Suphan | June 27, 2023

What are the top-rated attractions in Nevada?

These are the top-rated attractions in Nevada:

  • Hoover Dam. This 726-foot-high dam containing lake Mead was built during the Great Depression as a way to create jobs. It currently provides hydroelectric power to Nevada, Arizona, and California.
  • Lake Tahoe. This freshwater lake is 22 miles long and is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is the most popular lake in the state.
  • Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. A short distance from Las Vegas, this popular hiking area in the Mojave Desert is a local favorite.

Here are 10 man-made top-rated attractions in Nevada. 

What are the best natural wonders in Nevada?

These are some of the best natural wonders in Nevada:

  • Pyramid Lake. At 125,000 acres, this is one of the largest natural lakes in Nevada. It is known for its interesting rock formations and as a popular fishing spot.
  • Lehman Caves. This massive cave system is a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.
  • Valley of Fire. Located in Clark County, the multicolored sandstone rock formations bring visitors from all around. The park has many hiking trails and campgrounds.
  • Wheeler Peak. As part of the Great Basin National Park, this is the second-tallest mountain in Nevada and is a favorite of photographers.

Here are more of the best natural wonders in Nevada. 

What are the best small towns in Nevada to visit?

These are some of the best small towns in Nevada:

  • Virginia City. This city started as a boomtown in 1859 after the Comstock Lode, America’s first major silver deposit was discovered.
  • Ely. With a population of about 4,000 people, this was originally a stagecoach station for the Pony Express and resides at the base of the Great Basin National Park.
  • Caliente. Known for its nearby hot springs, this small town has historic railroad cottages and the Union Pacific Train Depot.

Here are seven more of the best small towns in Nevada. 

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Lake Mead, 1610 E Lake Mead Blvd, North Las Vegas, NV 89030, USA