Where is Washoe Lake?

Washoe Lake is a lake in Washoe County, Nevada. Its water-quality measurements are published by NDEP and shown on this page as reported.

How deep is Washoe Lake?

Washoe Lake has a maximum depth of 12 feet. The lake covers 5562 acres.

Are there boat ramps on Washoe Lake?

Washoe Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Washoe Lake State Park - 1. Public access is listed as yes.

Can I fish at Washoe Lake?

Washoe Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Nevada's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.

Washoe Lake

Washoe County, Nevada5,562 acresView map Directions

No nutrient or algae sampling on record from NDEP for this lake.

Max depth

12 ft

Bathymetric survey

Area

5,562 acres

Surface area

Shoreline

25.2 mi

Measured length

Impaired · Mercury
12 ft max depth
Public access

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

Washoe Lake in Washoe County, Nevada has water-quality measurements published by NDEP, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 12 ft. Surface area: 5562 acres.

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Washoe Lake is a 5,562-acre lake in Washoe County, Nevada with a maximum depth of 12 feet. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NDEP. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

What Washoe Lake is good for

From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.

Boat launch1 documented ramp
Big water5,562 acres

Swimming conditions

No reading

Not rated

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Washoe Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, metals (other than mercury), nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), salinity / chlorides. Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether Washoe Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.

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Water quality measurements for Washoe Lake

These are the measurements NDEP publishes for Washoe Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

No clarity data. TSI undefined.

Ask about Washoe Lake

Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.

Lake Details

Max depth

12 ft

Surface area

5,562 acres

Shoreline

25.2 mi

Public access

Yes

Listed by NDEP

Recreation & Access

Boat Landings

Yes

Public Access

Washoe Lake State Park - 1Public

Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps

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Stays near Washoe Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Washoe Lake in Washoe County, Nevada — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.

Top-rated places to stay near Washoe Lake

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Fishing Washoe Lake

→ Washoe Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

EPA Impairment Status

Washoe Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

MercuryMetals (other than mercury)Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)Salinity / chlorides

Designated uses not supporting: Drinking water, Aquatic life, Fish consumption.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NV06-SC-40-C_00 · Official waterbody report

Nearby Lakes in Washoe County

Little Washoe Outfall Lake3.4 miView →Marlette Lake8.9 miView →Alexander Lake13 miView →Virginia Lake—View →Steamboat Creek Lake—View →Sparks Marina West Side Lake—View →

Frequently asked questions about Washoe Lake

Where is Washoe Lake?: Washoe Lake is a lake in Washoe County, Nevada. Its water-quality measurements are published by NDEP and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Washoe Lake?: Washoe Lake in Washoe County, Nevada has water-quality measurements published by NDEP, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 12 ft. Surface area: 5562 acres.
Is Washoe Lake safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Washoe Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, metals (other than mercury), nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), salinity / chlorides. Check local advisories before you swim.
How deep is Washoe Lake?: Washoe Lake has a maximum depth of 12 feet. The lake covers 5562 acres.
Are there boat ramps on Washoe Lake?: Washoe Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Washoe Lake State Park - 1. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Washoe Lake?: Washoe Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Nevada's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.