Lake MEAD is a large reservoir located on the Colorado River, created by the Hoover Dam in 1935. It is the largest reservoir in the United States and the largest man-made lake in the Western Hemisphere. The lake was named after Elwood MEAD, who was the commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1924 to 1936. Lake MEAD is a popular destination for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming.