Walker Lake

lake, Nevada, United States

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

Walker Lake is a lake located in Mineral County, western Nevada, United States. It is a remnant of an ancient sea and is situated in an arid region characterized by mountains and valleys. The Walker River, which originates in the Sierra Nevada, flows into the lake and supports irrigation projects. Like many of Nevada's rivers, Walker Lake is an endorheic lake, meaning it has no outlet and its water levels are affected by evaporation. Water scarcity is a growing concern in Nevada due to increasing demands from urbanization, industry, and agriculture.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

ecological restoration
Walker Basin
Walker Lake is unusual because it is a terminal lake; it has many inlets but no outlet. The long-term survival of Walker Lake’s ecosystem, fishery, and associated economy are threatened by water diversions that lowered the water level by approximately 46 metres (about 150 feet)…
Read More
Walker Lake is unusual because it is a terminal lake; it has many inlets but no outlet. The long-term survival of Walker Lake’s ecosystem, fishery, and associated economy are threatened by water diversions that lowered the water level by approximately 46 metres (about 150 feet)…
Read More