Nevada : Geographical Conditions

Major part of Nevada belongs to the Great Basin, which is a plateau distinguished by isolated mountain ranges and separated by dry basins. Most of these ranges are short, up to 75 mi (121 km) long and 15 mi (24 km) wide, and rise to altitudes of 7,000–10,000 ft (2,100–3,000m). The important ranges are the Schell Creek, Ruby, Toiyabe, and Carson (within the Sierra Nevada). Boundary Peak at 13,140 ft (4,007 m), is Nevada's highest point.
Nevada has numerous large lakes and saline marshes known as sinks. Pyramid is the largest lake in Nevada with an area of 188 sq mi (487 sq km). Nevada shares Lake Tahoe with California, and Lake Mead, created by Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, with Arizona. Streams become dry during the summer months while some flow into local lakes or sinks without reaching the sea. Humboldt is the longest river of Nevada. The Walker, Truckee, and Carson rivers drain the western part of Nevada. The canyon carved by Colorado, forms the extreme southeastern boundary of the state, is the site of Nevada's lowest elevation, 479 ft (146 m).