The Lahontan Region consists of rivers draining the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada south to the Mojave Desert. The area is named for an ancient inland sea that once covered parts of California and Nevada. These rivers drain into the Great Basin, with no natural outlets to the sea

Truckee River
Drains into and out of Lake Tahoe, and down to Reno. Lake Tahoe Basin and Tahoe National Forests.

Carson River
Toiyabe National Forest

Walker River
Toiyabe National Forest

Mono Lake
This saline inland sea is found in the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, Inyo National Forest.

Owens River
The Owens River’s source streams are in Inyo National Forest. The Los Angeles Aqueduct system began taking water from the Owens River in 1913, leading to water wars in the Owens River Valley. Recent agreements and court rulings have limited the diversion of water from east side Sierra streams and creeks, beginning of the restoration of sensitive riparian ecosystems.

Mojave River
With headwaters in the San Bernardino National Forest, the Mojave goes underground as it enters the desert, appearing as a river of sand.

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