Lake Mead

BolJ M i;;K~ver Lake Mead Nation al Rec reation A rea exhibits a startling cont rast of desert and water, mountains and ca nyons, primitive bac kco untry and modern technolog y. Two powerf ul, unco mpromising forces crea ted thi s fantastic place. Nature, working sl owly over millions of years, built the fou ndation. Man, work ing feverishly over just the last few decades, remodeled and built a landscape that better suited his needs, desires, and senses. In one of the hottest, driest regions on Earth two huge lakes were created. Lake Mead and Lake Mohave emerged as the center of the country 's f irst nationa l recreat io n area. Suddenly people were flocking to the d esert for boating, fishing , swimmi ng, and wa terskii ng . Today thousands of visitors share in enjoy ing the cool , refreshing man-made lak es. Drawn by water, they find many other u nexpected reward s. A History of Challenge and Change There is the quiet and the stark, desolate beauty of the desert. There are imposing scenes of the ancient, twisted mountains of the Basin and Range province and the colorful vertical walls nd high plateaus of the Grand Canyon. There is r w, untouched backcountry, and there is Hoover Dam, a towering symbol of what human genius can achieve. The range of e>xperiences is as broad as the lakes and the land are big. Survival in the Natural World Sob McKeever Before the creation of Lake Mead few people set foot in th is region. Those who did quickly became aware of the hostile, unforgiving character of this dry, brutally hot, rugged land. Some left ; others stayed to meet the cha llenge. The first to remain were ancient Indians. Fur trappers, Mormon settlers, prospectors, and riverboat captains followed. Explorers like John Wesley Powell penetrated deep into the uncharted territory of the Grand Canyon and other remote areas. And then came the 20th century, and modern-day pioneers built a 221 -meter (726foot) high dam on the Colorado River-higher t han any built before. Hoover Dam changed the nature of this country forever. It created an abundance of water and power for the Southwest, it calmed the floodwaters of the Colorado, and it turned a once uninviting landscape into one that today attracts thousands of visitors year after year. Up the Colorado Steampowered boats resembling Miss issippi riverboats nav igated the Colorado River upstre am from its mouth in the late 1800s. These cargo-passenger vessels traveled as far north as the Mormon settlement of Ca 1:vi lle. now long gone. One of the most difficult obstacles of the 960-kilome ter (600-m ile) trip was the Black Canyon rapids. Crews had to pull the ir boats through using a system of winch es and cables strung th rough ring bolts anchored in th e canyon walls. Taming a Wild River Completed in 1935, Hoover Dam turned the muddy, sometimes violent Colorado River into th e sti ll , clear waters of Lake Mead . More than 5,000 men wo rked night and day fo r five years to To survive in Lake Mead country animals and pl ants generally have adopted one of two lifestyles. Desert dwellers like bighorn sheep, roadrunners, Joshua trees, and cactuses are adapted to living under a set of gru eling conditions. They endure temperatures above 43°C (110°F), an '1nual rainfall of less than 15 centimeters (6 inches) and a meager food supply. The others, including waterbirds and many aquatic plants and animals, live in relative ease, attracted to the man-made environment of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, where freshwater and food are plentiful year-round. erect he g iant c ncre1e structure between the deep, rugged walls of Black Canyon . President Franklin D. Roosevelt heralded the dam's successfu l completion as an "eng ineering victory. " Davis Dam, downstream from Hoover Dam, was completed in 1953. This rock-and-earth wall controls the flow of water from Lake Mohave. Th e Bureau of Reclamation, wh ich operates both dams, offers guided tours of Hoover Dam and selfguiding tours of Davis Dam. Rush to Riches The discovery of gold brought a stampede of fortLmeseekers in the lat _ 1800s and early 1900s. Asingle mine in Eldorado Canyon yielded $1 .7 mil li §n worth. Prospectof unearthed other pr et ious minerals in the dmiert mountains, inclucli ng silver and co pper When the mine rs moved on, their mines, ore-processing mi lls, and ca mps became ghost towns The First Peoples Petrog lyphs, ruins of an ancient ci ty, and other traces of prehistoric life fo und in Lake Mead country suggest how Indians survived here ages ago. Nomad ic desert tribes hunted bighorn sheep and smaller game and collected wild pl ants such as yucca and pinyo n pine nuts. River tribes, liv ing in pit dwe llings or stone houses. fi shed the Colorad o and grew irrigated crops of maize, squas and beans Second Impressions The lakes and the surrounding desert mount ins. canyons. and plains can look as lifeless as the 0~oon. A keen eye and a simse of how wi ldlife su rvives in this wild land will if!1prove your chances of sl'ei ng some of the area 's 0 mmon and more ex- tfpordinary animals and plants. Bighorn sheep o(lmmonly descend the sleep rocky ridges along Lake Mead 's or Lake Monave's sho res for a midday drink. More than on your belly to see them. A winter rai n, however, can trigger a burst of wildflowers the following spr ing that wi ll co nspicuously color the desert like a rai nbow. Along the lakes a rich assortment of birds - out of place in the desert but at home on the wate r-abound . Resident and migratory ducks. cormorants. geese, egrets, herons. and pelicans fish the waters , along with golden and bald eagles. 1,000 inhabit the rec reation area. Bighorns are one of the few desert animals active during the extreme heat of day. Lizards. squirrels, jackrabbits, and other creatures usual ly come out of their shaded resting places on ly in the coo ler hours of morning , late afternoon, even ing, or night. Spectacular displays of desert plant life can be just as elusive. The desert blooms year-rou nd , but many of the blossoms are so tiny you have to lie White pelican Fishing Fishermen are drawn to Lake ead and Lake Mohave like gamblers to Las Vegas. The lakes offer some of the best sport fishing in the cou ntry. Unlike some lakes. these two offe r an open season on all species of fish year-round. Lake Mead National Rec reation Area offers a wea lth of things to do and places to go yearround . Twice the size of Rhode Island, its huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fis hermen wh ile its desert rewards hikers , wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. A good place to start your visit is the Alan Bible Visitor Center, 6 kilometers (4 miles) northeast of Boulder City, Nevada, on U.S. Highway 93. The park staff can help plan your stay and give you up-to-date information on park activities and services. An in troductory movie, exhibits, books, brochures, and topographic maps and nautical charts are available. An outdoor botanical garden displays some of the area 's interesting desert trees, shrubs, and cactuses. Ot her places to stop for information are park headquarters , located at the intersection of Nevada Highway and Wyoming Street in Boulder City, or at any park ranger station. You also can write: Superintendent, Lake Mead National Recreation Area , 601 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV 89005; or call (702) 293-4041. Largemou th bass, ra inbow trout , striped bass. ch annel catfish , black crappie . and bluegill are all popular catches. There are differe nces between the lakes in the abun· dance of different species. In Lake Mead on e of the most common and sought after fish is striped bass; specimens weighing 22 kil ograms (50 pounds) and more have been caught. In Lake Maha e - espec ial ly in its upper reaches in Black Canyon -rai nbow tro ut are the most popular catch ; some very large ones have been hooked there. Before you go out you may want to stop by a ranger station and find ou t the current "hot spots" for the fish you are angl ing fo r Boating Altho ugh Lake Mead and Lake Mohave are the prime attractions for visitors. both lakes often appear as empty as the desert. Sailboats. fishing boats. ski boats. and hou seboats al l share the lakes 712 square ki lometers (27 4 sq uare miles) without crowdi ng one another. On these spacious open waters opportun ities for si gh tsee ing and other boating activities are variod . Boa ters wi ll find that they can see and reach many scenic areas that are inaccessible to tho · e traveling by car. For oxample, boats can easi ly travel up the narrow, steep-walled gorge of Iceberg Canyon in Lake Mead or up the equally spectacular Black Canyon in Lake Mohave. wh ich retains much o the character of the Colorado. Boaters ca n also investigate the numerous secluded coves formed by fingers of the desert jutting out into the water Many of these coves are bordered by sandy beaches where you can picnic or camp. The beaches are particularly popular camping spots during the hotter months. If you plan on taking a long tr ip let a friend. fa mily member. or park ranger know where you are going and when yo u plan to return. Also leave a description of your boat, boat trailer, and veh icle. For those who want hours of uninterrupted waterskiing , the lakes' wid e basins are perfect. especial\ when winds are ligh Sall boarders v 11\ For Safety's Sake Very real dange rs to you r hea lth and safety exi st both in the de sert and on the lakes. People unaware o r unheedfu l of warnings have su ffered serious injuries - some fatal. Know the hazards and how to avo id t he m. Protect yourself and the recreation area from harm. Flashfloods and Lightning Desert thunderstorms carry the double th reat of flas hfloods and lightning. They occur most often in summer and early fal l. Be wary of nearby storms; violent downpou rs can cause flas hf looding in distant areas untouched by ra in. Never camp in a wash or other low-lying area or drive across a flood ed road. Stay out of open areas where lightning may strike . Weather information is posted dai ly at ranger stations. Heat The punishing heat of summer can cause heat exhaustion or even heat stroke . Avoid strenuous activities during the day. Drin k plenty prefer near-shore areas and st ronger breezes fo r the ir unconventional craft. Six concession-operated marinas along Lake Mead and three on Lake Mohave offer a fu ll ra nge of boating services and supplies year-rou nd [see chart on opposite side of th is fo lder). Free publ ic launching ramps and parking areas are located at each. Parking is limited to seven days per stay. Marinas rent fishing boats, ski boats and waterski ing equipment, sailboats, and houseboats. Mines and Tu nnels Aba nd o ned min es and tun nels, with t hei r deep shafts and o ld , rotten supporting timbers , sh ould be avo ided. Poisonous Wildlife Rattlesnakes. a scorpion and a lizard-th e G il a monster - are poisonou s, but w ill leave y u alon e un less disturbed o r cornered . To pro tect you rse lf . wear sturdy boois and watch your step . One plant commo n to develo ped area - he ol eander -is toxic . N either yo u nor your pet shou ld eat any plant part or drink water fl'om nearby ditch es. Protected Features N at ural and hi storical fea tures such as anim als. plants , and Indian artifacts are protected. Do not disturb , damage , or take t hem fro m t he recreatio n area. H unti ng of games species is allowed in seaso n. Deve loped Special organized watersport events. incl uding powerboat and waterskiing races. are conducted each yea r. Contact the recreati on area for a calendar of events. Boat tours are operated by concessioners. On Lake Mead , 1X-ho ur excu rsions to Hoover Dam run fou r times daily rom Lake Mead arina a Boulder Beach Tic e s -- o · fluids. e en when you are not th irsty; you can lose large amoun ts o f wate r w it hout know ing it. are sold at the marina . On Lake Mohave oneday raft trips are offered throug h the slow-moving waters of Black Canyon from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach . Contact the recreat io n area for more information on boat tours. - - - - ert basi ns o f cactuses and creosotebush , and vertical -walled canyons are some of the sights motorists can discover. One popular tour follows Lakes ho re and Northshore Roads along the edge of Lake Mead . From these roads there are panoramic views of the blue lake set against a backdrop of the browns, blacks, reds, and grays of the desert mounta ins. Northshore Road also leads through areas of brilliant red boulders and rock formations. -.-.-_. 0 Other scenic roads pass through other wild landscapes. For example, the road to Pearce Ferry crosses one of the world's finest Joshua-tree forests. Un paved backcou ntry roads penetrate even more remote reg ions 1 Striped bass 2 Rainbow trout 3 Largemo th bass e ada and Arizona sha re jurisdiction over Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. To fish from sho re you must have a state fishing license. If you fish from a boat you are required to have a license from one state and a spe- Several commercia l bus companies in Las Vegas operate guided to urs of the Lake Mead area. Some include a motor tou r of the rec reation area, a boat trip on Lake Mead, and a tour of Hoover Dam. cial use stamp fro m the other. Most marinas sell licenses and stamps. They also sell bait. tackl e. and other fis hing supplies and operate charter fish ing boats. Fishermen should become fam iliar with catch limits and legal methods of capture . Swimming Both desert lakes are clear. clean, and ideal for swimming , snorkel ing , and diving. The best seasons for swimming are spring. summer, and fal l, when temperatures in Lake Mead and much of Lake Mohave average 20°C (78° FJor a little cooler. In the north· ern reaches o La e o- Check on road co nditions before traveling these routes Bring extra water for our eh 1cle and tools for emergency repa irs. Driving off designated roads is prohibited. Drive only on paved roads or on unpaved roads that are marked wi th yel low arrows. Beach break have. extremely cold temperatures prevail, discourag ing most swimmers. Lifeguards are on duty at designated beaches a Boulder Beach on Lake ead a d a Ka en e on Lake o ave ·n e s ~ mmer. Be extra carefu l when swimming outside gua rded areas. Never swi m alone. Picnicking Shaded picnic areas with tables, water. fire grills, and restrooms are located at Boulder Beach, Las Vegas Wash, Cottonwood Cove, Willow Beach, and Kather ine. The re are also picn ic areas along Northshore Road, incl udi ng on e at Rogers Spring . These sites do not have drinking water. Roadside view Hiking Short desert hikes lead to places you will never see from a boat or car. One such place is the area of co lorfu l sandstone fo rmati ons near Redstone Picn ic Area along Northshore Road . Anothe r is a canyon where Indian petroglyphs were carved in a rock wall hundreds of years ago Hiking in the recreation area almost always turn. Rangers will have a difficult time find ing you if you get lost in this expanse and they don't know where to begin looking. Always carry water; 4 liters (1 gallon) per day per person is advised. Long crosscountry hikes are discouraged from June through September, when the desert heats up like a furnace . requires crosscoun try trave l; few maintained trails exist. The best hi king months are October throug h May. You can explore on your own during this time, or with park naturalists, who lead hi kes on weekends. Longer hikes demand careful plann ing; consu lt a topographic map and a park ranger. Let someone know whe re you are going and wh en you wil l re- -- - Safety in the Water areas. as we ll as many other areas around the lakes. are closed to shoo ti ng and to the possession of loaded fi rea rm s. Check with a ranger before using firear ms. Road Travel Dri v ing of f designated roads damages backcou ntry areas and is prohib ited. Pets Pets are pro hibi ted from desig nated beaches, publ ic eating places, and other publ ic build ings. They m ust always be leashed. Never leave a pet in a car; temperat ures inside ca n c limb to 72° C (160 ° FJ. Safeguarding Your Belongings T hefts do occu r. Unattended belongings invi te th ieves. Lock valuables in t he trunk or out of sight in yo ur car o r take them with you when you leave. In an emergency contact a ranger or call the 24-hour emergency number (702) 293-4041. Scenic Drives Several paved roads win d th rough the dramatic desert scenery of Lake Mead country. Towering stark mountains, plateaus, des- B efore going out on the water check w eather forecasts and look for storm warn ing f lags at marinas. Ca ll (702) 736-3854 or mo nito r marine rad io channe l 162.55 fo r up-to-date National Weather Service forecasts. If a storm breaks w hi le you are out, seek shelter in a protected cove immediatel y and wait until th e storm passes. High winds can spring up quickly, creat1flg waves as high as 2 meters (6 feet) Lightn ing is a hazard on ope n water, too. Ai ds to Navigation Mid-Channel Buoys Da y b uoy Night buoy Llghte (w 11e Ilg Regulatory Markers Danger • Boa skeepou 0 Area con rolled asmd 1cated Storm Warning Flags Diver's Flag r fI S ma ll craf t advisory Ga le wa rning 0 1vermwa er A lcoho l, drugs, and water don't rnix . The chance d f an acc ident increases as your abi lity to react ~ b oth mental ly and physically-are impai red . Most water-re lated deaths at Lake Mead result 1rom alcohol or drug use. Safety for Boaters Water levels in Lakes Mead and Mohave cha nge thro ughout the yea r Always approach the shore with caution and watch fo r shallows and submerged debris. Never let a passenger ride on the bow. Fatali ties have occurred when passengers fe ll overboard and were hit by the propeller. Many persons who drown never intended to enter the water. A lways wear a life preserver. Safety for Waterskiers Skiers must wear life preservers. An obse rve r must accompany the boat operator. Display a sk i flag when a skier is in the water. Safety for Swimmers Distances to islands. buoys, and across coves are eas ily underestimated; don't overestimate your abi lities. A ir mattresses and other inflatables can blow away, leaving you stranded tar from shore. Never rely on an inflatable if you cannot swim . Safety for Divers d iver's flag . Scuba divers must fly a Lake Mead Country Lake Mead Na tional Recreation Area nco passes 177-kilome er (1 10-mile) long La e Mead, 108-kilome er (67mi le) Lake Mohave he su rro unding dese and the isolated Shivw1 s Plateau in Arizona. The Sh1vwi ts (shown at left) can be reac hed onl y by unpaved roads from th e north. Check with ran g rs abou t roads to the Shivw1ts and nearby reg ions. Accommodations and Services Clim ate In his desert cllma e sum mer empera- ures nse above 38° C (1oo° FJ daily. From October through May temperatures are less extrem e. Winter highs average a coo 110°c (50 ° FJ; nig httime lows seldom drop be low o0 c (32° FJ. Time Changes Be aware of time changes when travel ing int e 5 Kilometers 1o 5 Miles 0 ommended. Overnight camping, with hookups for water, sewer, and electri city, is offered at all co ncession trai ler v illages. All villages take In the Recreation Area Nine developed areas on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave offer a wide rang e of accommodat ions and services year-round . The chart at right high li ghts the major ones at each site. All lodges, trail er villages, and marinas are run by concessio ners. For a list of concessioners and addresses contact the recreati on area. Each developed area is easily accessi ble by car and boat. Six motels are located on the lakes. Reservations are rec- area e ada 1s in the Paci 1c Time Zo ne and Arizona 1s in he Mounta in Time Zone. reservations . All developed sites but Willow Beach have campground s. Sites are available on a first-come , firs t-served basis. Each area has picn ic tables, fi re gril ls, water, res trooms, and a trai le r sewage dump. Overnight fees are charged. No utility hookups are provid ed !,.AKE MEAD Natural ists give evening programs at amp hitheaters in two campgrounds - Bou Ider Beac h on Lake Mead and Katherine on Lake Mohave -from April o October. Near the Recreation Area o els. o els restauran s, groceries and gasol ine s a ions are available in Las Vegas. Boulder City, Henderson. Laughlin. Searchlight, and Overton in Nevada , and in Bullhead City and Ki ngman in Arizona. Backcou ntry camping is all owed along shore on both lakes and in designated sites along unpaved backcountry roads. Las Vegas Wash (16km/10mi) Callville Bay [43 km/ 27 mi) Ove rton Beach (101 km/ 63 mi) Temple Bar (81 km /50 mi) LAKE MOHAVE Cotton wood Cove (87 km/ 54 mi) I• • • •I• • ~ • • l u ! e • "' • • Kathe ri ne ( 130 km/81 mi) m Ran r station 0 Mari a/boat launch are marked m the VIRG IN park itself wi th ye l ~ low arrows. Marine fuel only • Reserved for tra iler village occupants t-1 Wi llow Beach [35 km/22 mi) Stays in campgrounds or m the backcou ntry are limited to between 30 and 90 days, depe nding on the site . ••••••• • ••••• t---i -+-+• • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • •• • • e • • • • • • • • • ••••• • •••••• •• • • • • • • • • • • •••• • • • • •••• • • • • • [• r!+.!- • [. • • • • • ••••• I-' Echo Bay [79 km/ 49 mi) Unpaved road n ~e on 'I on those npa'o'ed roads that 10 The cha rt at left details what you can find at each developed area in the park. Distances are from the visitor cente r. Boulder Beach [3 km/2 mi) 1"111 ~ Boat launch MOUNTA I NS ~ Campground Swim beach~ lifeguarded in summer II Lodge m Picnic area Muddy Peak 1656 m • 5432 fr HI Sunrise Mo untain Lll 1 GAL E V IRG I N 569 m .1868 ft Jum bo Peak 1757 m 5763 ft. MOU Middle TAI NS !"' / SJ-1 oint Lava Butte . AKE lvfEAD -- j East Point GRAND GYPSUM RECfS Napoleons · Tomb CANYON Sandy Pamt The HaystackS ./ , t -1 ( Squaw Peak• l ~~~=~~~~ -....__._,...,--...._,...,.,,, 975 m 3200 ~ \ l rl - \\ \ r--f '--- \ H UA L APA I { I N DI AN RE S E R VA T I ON \ I • Senato r Mountain 1563 m \ f' ...... l \ Gold en Rule Peak • 1177 m 3863 ft \ 5127 N \ \ J OJ r > 0 /;; ,/ - I I I I Table Mountain Plateau 1577 hl . 5175 ft -J .:::i 0 0 .:?' •McCullough Mountain 2141 m 7026 ft Mount Perkins • 1663 m 5456 ft L -----~ Mou nt Tipton• 2103 m 6900 ff -t' ,,,,.-, \../'-----.- - - - ! \ I I :;.r ,,.,.- Long Mou ntain. 1326 m 4352 ft Silver Mountain. -.... - 'l. Spirit Mo '-. f fain ~ - ;c}: \ II.a il\1.. Z t 719 m ----.._____ 0 5639 ff""\ ""--~ Christmas Tree Pass ~ ~ 0 ~. ~ Peacock Peak .