Authorized by the National Reclamation Act of 1902, Lahontan Dam was built in 1914 to provide irrigation to Fallon farmlands. Fallon agriculture is best known for premium alfalfa and the famous "Hearts O' Gold Cantaloupe". Lahontan was named after the ancient sea that once covered most of Northern Nevada. Pyramid and Walker Lake are natural remnants to this 8,500 square mile Sea from the Ice Age. Lahontan Reservoir's storage capacity is 274,000 acre feet when full and provides approximately 70 miles of shoreline.

  Lahontan has since become a popular recreation area for camping, boating, water skiing and fishing. Anglers vie for walleye, white bass, the hybrid wiper, catfish, trout and other game fish. The recreation area is managed by Nevada Division of State Parks and boat launching is available on the Dam and Silver Springs sides of the Lake.