Tag: Lake Mead

Lake Mead, situated in the southwestern United States, is renowned as the largest reservoir by volume in the country. Formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, it straddles the border between Nevada and Arizona. The lake’s vast expanse stretches across 247 square miles when full, offering a critical water supply to millions of people in the region, including cities like Las Vegas. Its striking azure waters contrast sharply with the surrounding desert landscape, making it a popular destination for boating, fishing, and recreational activities. However, in recent years, its water levels have faced significant challenges due to drought and increased demand, highlighting concerns over sustainability and water management in the arid Southwest.

St Thomas Nevada – Clark County Ghost Town

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Destination4x4

Founded in 1865 when Brigham Young sent settles to the confluence of the Virgin River and Muddy Rivers. St Thomas Nevada remained a Mormon settlement until 1871 when a surveying correction placed the town in Nevada. When the Mormons abandoned the area, other settlers claimed the property. St Thomas used to served as a pit stop for travelers between Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah using along the old Arrow Highway (US 91).

St Thomas Ghost Town is accessible with lower water levels in Lake Mead, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

The United States Federal Government “purchased” the land as part of the Hoover Dam project. In actuality, there were multiple suits as the residents of St. Thomas raise complaints about the amount the federal government was paying for their land. In time, the residence lost and the entire town was doomed to its destiny and the water of Lake Mead continued to rise.

The last known resident as Hugh Lord, who remained until the water surrounded his home. He loaded is possessions into a row boat, set fire to his home, and rowed off into history. Soon the rising water of Lake Mead swallowed the entire down, and wasted the landscape with water 60 feet deep. From time to time, the lake level will drop low enough to expose this lost town.

The town is currently exposed, and lies in the lake bed surrounded by a large expanse of tamarisk. The dirt road to the trail-head is located just inside the entrance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area when coming from Moapa and Overton and the trail is beyond simple and suitable for almost every vehicle.

The 2.5 miles hiking trail is very easy and takes you from the trail-head and loops through the town. The trail would be a bit more difficult if you attempt the trail during the hot summer months. Remains of the town are limited to foundations, some old wood fence posts and some metal artifacts such as farming equipment and a V-8 small block. The park service appears to cut the tamarisk back to expose the foundations for visitors, however the cut off tamarisk trucks can be a tripping hazard and would be harsh it you fell on one, so keep in eye on where you step.

A building foundation in St. Thomas, Nevada — A building foundation in St. Thomas

I have been to many ghost towns over the years. Many of them lost in history due to mines failing to produce, fire, hard environments and disease. St Thomas is different from all the others. This is a ghost town by design, by protest and there is no better reminder than the fresh water clam shells which litter the site. The fact that there are viable towns (Moapa and Overton) just a few miles away make St Thomas all the more poignant.

The tallest building remains of St. Thomas, — The tallest building remains of St. Thomas

St Thomas Trail Map

John Wesley Powell

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Destination4x4

John Wesley Powell, a remarkable American explorer, geologist, and ethnologist, was born on March 24, 1834, in Mount Morris, New York. His expeditions through the uncharted territories of the American West not only added to scientific knowledge but also provided invaluable insights into the land’s geological and cultural diversity. Powell’s legacy as a pioneer of exploration and his tireless efforts in promoting conservation measures have left an indelible mark on American history.

Powell served as the second Director of the United States Geological Survey, a post he held from 1881 to 1894. This photograph dates from early in his term of office.

Early Life and Education

Powell grew up in rural New York, where his love for nature and the outdoors was nurtured from an early age. Although he lost his right arm in a childhood accident, Powell’s determination and thirst for adventure were undeterred. He developed a keen interest in natural sciences and geography and pursued higher education at Illinois College and later at Oberlin College, where he focused on geology.

Grand Canyon Expeditions

Powell’s most famous and daring expedition was his 1869 journey down the Colorado River, known as the Powell Geographic Expedition. With a team of nine men, Powell set out to explore the largely uncharted canyons and rapids of the Colorado River and gather valuable scientific data. The expedition faced numerous hardships, including treacherous rapids, scarce food supplies, and hostile encounters with Native American tribes. Miraculously, Powell and his crew successfully navigated the treacherous river and completed the journey, providing unprecedented knowledge of the Grand Canyon and its geological formations.

First camp of the John Wesley Powell expedition, in the willows, Green River, Wyoming, 1871. - E. 0. Beaman - War Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. Powell Survey. (1869 - ca. 1874) — First camp of the John Wesley Powell expedition, in the willows, Green River, Wyoming, 1871. – E. 0. Beaman – War Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. Powell Survey. (1869 – ca. 1874)

Powell’s subsequent expeditions further solidified his reputation as a fearless explorer. He embarked on multiple journeys across the American West, including explorations of the Green and Colorado Rivers, the Rocky Mountains, and the Uinta Mountains. Powell’s meticulous record-keeping and scientific observations greatly expanded the understanding of the region’s geology, hydrology, and ethnography.

Scientific Contributions

Powell’s expeditions were not merely adventurous endeavors but also scientific ventures aimed at advancing knowledge in various fields. He published numerous papers and reports detailing his findings, including “Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and its Tributaries” and “Canons of the Colorado.” These works significantly contributed to the geological understanding of the American West, shaping subsequent research and studies in the region.

Additionally, Powell’s expertise in ethnology led him to conduct extensive research on Native American tribes. He documented their cultures, languages, and customs, recognizing the importance of preserving their heritage. His ethnographic studies formed a crucial foundation for future anthropological research in the United States.

Conservation Advocacy

John Wesley Powell was not only a scientist and explorer but also an early advocate for conservation. Recognizing the fragile nature of the American West’s ecosystems, he became a vocal proponent of sustainable land use practices and preservation efforts. Powell believed that the arid region’s limited water resources necessitated careful management and planning.

In 1879, Powell presented his influential “Report on the Lands of the Arid Region of the United States” to Congress. This groundbreaking report emphasized the need for responsible irrigation and land development strategies, urging policymakers to consider the long-term consequences of uncontrolled resource exploitation. Powell’s report laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Reclamation, both crucial agencies in land and water management.

Legacy and Impact

John Wesley Powell’s contributions to exploration, science, and conservation continue to resonate today. His expeditions not only unveiled the wonders of the American West but also inspired future generations of explorers and scientists. Powell’s emphasis on interdisciplinary research and his understanding of the intricate relationships between humans and their environment remain

References

Pueblo Grande de Nevada

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Destination4x4

Pueblo Grande de Nevada is Nevada State Historic Marker number Forty One and located in Clark County, Nevada. The ruins become to be known as Nevada’s “Lost City”. The marker is located about two miles south of Overton along State Route 169.

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

Pueblo Grande de Nevada - Source National Park Service — Pueblo Grande de Nevada – Source National Park Service

The site dates back to before the year 500 A.D. and the Basketmaker Indians and later the Ancestral Pueblo people in 1150 A.D. Archeological studies show signs of human activity and occupation as far back as 8,000 B.C.

The ruins become known to American Settlers in 1827, when Jebediah Smith found artifacts while exploring the region. The Pueblo Grande a complex of villages, was first seen by white settlers forty years later in 1867. There is little interest in the area, the ruins or the story they had to tell, until 1924. John and Fay Perkins of Overton, Nevada, discovered the ruined complex. The “Lost City” captured the imagination of Nevada and soon became a tourist spot.

To the south of Overton Beach are prehistoric salt mines. Early inhabitants in the area mined salt from these caves. The mined salt is used for trade, survival and food preparation. During excavations in 1925 and 1926, many artifacts are discovered in the caves, including pottery, stone clubs, sandals and other items. These artifacts offered a limited glimpse into the daily lives of the people who worked the salt mines.

Flood Waters

Rising waters of Lake Mead swallowed some of the ruins, with the construction of Hoover Damn. The waters flooded the “Lost City”. The area has been the subject of numerous archeological studies which allow us to better understand the ancients peoples of the land. Today, the Lost City Museum of Archaeology in Overton continues to tell the story of the area and preserve the various artifacts discovered over the past two hundred years.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Indians of a highly developed civilization lived throughout Moapa Valley from 300-1100 A.D. Several hundred ancient pithouses, campsites, rockshelters, salt mines and caves of Anasazi people make up what is commonly known as “Lost City.” These people cultivated corn, beans and squash in fields irrigated by river water. They also gathered wild seeds and fruits and hunted widely for deer, antelope, desert bighorn sheep, small mammals and birds. They wove fine cotton cloth, fired beautifully painted and textured pottery and mined and traded salt and turquoise to coastal tribes for seashells. Early dwellings were circular pithouses below ground; later dwellings above ground were single-story adobes having up to 100 rooms.

Lake Mead, created by Hoover Dam, flooded the most intensively developed portion of Lost City.

Trail Map

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker No.	41
Name	Pueblo Grande de Nevada
Location	Clark County Nevada
Latitude, Longitude	36.525, -114.4338
GNIS	847639

References

National Park Service

Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Destination4x4

Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37 is a marker commemorating the 1869 exploration of the Grand Canyon by Major John Wesley Powell. The historic landmark is located overlooking Lake Mead, Nevada.

Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37- The 1871 Powell Expedition preparing to depart Green River. Photo NPS — The 1871 Powell Expedition preparing to depart Green River. Photo NPS

After 1867, Powell led a series of expeditions into the Rocky Mountain, Green River and Colorado rivers. In 1869, he set out to explore the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon as part of several trips. Along with ten men and equipped with four boats and food for 10 months, Powell set out from Green River, Wyoming, on May 24. Passing through dangerous rapids, the group passed down the Green River to its confluence with the Colorado River (then also known as the Grand River upriver from the junction), near present-day Moab, Utah, and completed the journey on August 30, 1869.

Powell retraced part of the 1869 route in 1871–72 with another expedition that traveled to the Colorado River from Green River, Wyoming to Kanab Creek in the Grand Canyon. Powell used three photographers on this expedition; Elias Olcott Beaman, James Fennemore, and John K. Hillers, who documented the journey.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

On August 30, 1869, Major John Wesley Powell landed at the mouth of the Virgin River, about 12 miles south of here, thus ending the first boat expedition through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.

The expedition left Green River City, Wyoming Territory, on May 24, 1869. For three months Powell and his men endured danger and hunger to explore, survey and study the geology of the canyons along the Green and Colorado Rivers.

Exhausted and near starvation, the Powell party was warmly greeted and fed by the hardy Mormon pioneers of St. Thomas, a small farm settlement about 11 miles north of here.

The original sites of St. Thomas and the junction of the Virgin and Colorado Rivers are now beneath the waters of Lake Mead.

This, and later Powell surveys, stimulated great interest in the water conservation problems of the Southwest.

Marker Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker	37
Name	Powell on the Colorado
Location	Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude	36.3072, -114.4201

References

USGS

Colorado Steamships

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Destination4x4

From 1852 through 1909, Colorado Steamships ferried people and supplies up and down the Colorado River to mining camps and outposts. Following the discovery of gold in California, westward expansion of the United States was on the mind of most people seeking their fortune of livelihood. Wagon trains, horses and trains all brought people deep into the new county seeking their fortune. Lesser known is the role of the steamships, which brought supplies and people up the Colorado River from Baja California to the Green River in Wyoming.

View showing steamboat Cochan on the Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona in 1900 - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — View showing steamboat Cochan on the Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona in 1900 – U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

In November of 1952, the steamship Uncle Sam launched steamship service on the Colorado River. The modest vessel was powered from mesquite wood to boil the water required to turn its paddle wheel located at the stern. The steamboat was capable of hauling some 40 tons of supplies up the river. Steamship service on the river proved to be a lifeline to early settlers of Arizona and California.

Mohave II at Yuma, Arizona, with Sunday school group embarked, 1876 - Unknown author - MacMullen, Jerry, Paddle-Wheel Days in California, Stanford University Press, 1944 — Mohave II at Yuma, Arizona, with Sunday school group embarked, 1876 – Unknown author – MacMullen, Jerry, Paddle-Wheel Days in California, Stanford University Press, 1944

The steamers of the Colorado River range in size from just thirty five feet in length to over one hundred and forty nine feet. These purposes built ships, some of which could haul up to two hundred and thirty six tons of goods and people, could navigate the swift flowing river with just thirty inches of draft. The Colorado Steamships stern paddle wheels gained the best drive reputation for navigating with heavy flowing water of the Colorado with its ever shifting sand bars.

Colorado II in a tidal dry dock in the shipyard above Port Isabel, Sonora - MacMullen, Jerry, Paddle-Wheel Days in California, Stanford University Press, 1944 — Colorado II in a tidal dry dock in the shipyard above Port Isabel, Sonora – MacMullen, Jerry, Paddle-Wheel Days in California, Stanford University Press, 1944

Steamships of the Colorado River operated six hundred miles from the gulf of Baja California up to Rioville, Nevada which is now submerged beneath Lake Mead. They ships helped open the south west and were the kings of the Colorado River Valley until competition from the local railroads took over the market. Sadly, although necessary, the damming of the Colorado River starting in 1905 locked the river up and prevents along distance travel on the Colorado River and doomed Colorado Steamships completely.

Colorado River Steamship Landings

The steamboat Mohave departing the landing in El Dorado Canyon.

Potholes, California, From 1859	18 mi (29 km)
La Laguna, Arizona Territory, 1860-1863	20 mi (32 km)
Castle Dome Landing, Arizona Territory, 1863-1884	35 mi (56 km)
Eureka, Arizona Territory, 1863-1870s	45 mi (72 km)
Williamsport, Arizona Territory, 1863-1870s	47 mi (76 km)
Picacho, California, 1862-1910	48 mi (77 km)
Nortons Landing, Arizona Territory, 1882-1894	52 mi (84 km)
Clip, Arizona Territory, 1882-1888	70 mi (110 km)
California Camp, California	72 mi (116 km)
Camp Gaston, California, 1859-1867	80 mi (130 km)
Drift Desert, Arizona Territory	102 mi (164 km)
Bradshaw’s Ferry, California, 1862-1884	126 mi (203 km)
Mineral City, Arizona Territory, 1864-1866	126 mi (203 km)
Ehrenberg, Arizona Territory, from 1866	126.5 mi (203.6 km)
Olive City, Arizona Territory, 1862-1866	127 mi (204 km)
La Paz, Arizona Territory, 1862-1870	131 mi (211 km)
Parker’s Landing, Arizona Territory, 1864-1905 Camp Colorado, Arizona, 1864-1869	200 mi (320 km)
Parker, Arizona Territory, from 1908	203 mi (327 km)
Empire Flat, Arizona Territory, 1866-1905	210 mi (340 km)
Bill Williams River, Arizona	220 mi (350 km)
Aubrey City, Arizona Territory, 1862-1888	220 mi (350 km)
Chimehuevis Landing, California	240 mi (390 km)
Liverpool Landing, Arizona Territory	242 mi (389 km)
Grand Turn, Arizona/California	257 mi (414 km)
The Needles, Mohave Mountains, Arizona	263 mi (423 km)
Mellen, Arizona Territory 1890 – 1909	267 mi (430 km)
Eastbridge, Arizona Territory 1883 – 1890	279 mi (449 km)
Needles, California, from 1883	282 mi (454 km)
Iretaba City, Arizona Territory, 1864	298 mi (480 km)
Fort Mohave, Arizona Territory, 1859-1890 Beale’s Crossing 1858 –	300 mi (480 km)
Mohave City, Arizona Territory, 1864-1869	305 mi (491 km)
Hardyville, Arizona Territory, 1864-1893 Low Water Head of Navigation 1864-1881	310 mi (500 km)
Camp Alexander, Arizona Territory, 1867	312 mi (502 km)
Polhamus Landing, Arizona Territory Low Water Head of Navigation 1881-1882	315 mi (507 km)
Pyramid Canyon, Arizona/Nevada	316 mi (509 km)
Cottonwood Island, Nevada Cottonwood Valley	339 mi (546 km)
Quartette, Nevada, 1900-1906	342 mi (550 km)
Murphyville, Arizona Territory, 1891	353 mi (568 km)
Eldorado Canyon, Nevada, 1857-1905 Colorado City, Nevada 1861-1905	365 mi (587 km)
Explorer’s Rock, Black Canyon of the Colorado, Mouth, Arizona/Nevada	369 mi (594 km)
Roaring Rapids, Black Canyon of the Colorado, Arizona/Nevada	375 mi (604 km)
Ringbolt Rapids, Black Canyon of the Colorado, Arizona/Nevada	387 mi (623 km)
Fortification Rock, Nevada High Water Head of Navigation, 1858-1866	400 mi (640 km)
Las Vegas Wash, Nevada	402 mi (647 km)
Callville, Nevada, 1864-1869 High Water Head of Navigation 1866-78	408 mi (657 km)
Boulder Canyon, Mouth, Arizona/Nevada	409 mi (658 km)
Stone’s Ferry, Nevada 1866-1876	438 mi (705 km)
Virgin River, Nevada	440 mi (710 km)
Bonelli’s Ferry, 1876-1935 Rioville, Nevada 1869-1906 High Water Head of Navigation from 1879 to 1887	440 mi (710 km

Soruce: Wikipedia

Colorado River Steamship Landings

Steamboats on the Colorado River

Gila Steamboat at the Yuma Crossing Arizona, 1873.

Name	Type	Tons	Length	Beam	Launched	Disposition
Black Eagle	Screw		40 feet	6 feet	Green River, Utah June 1907	Exploded 1907
Charles H. Spencer	Stern		92.5 feet	25 feet	Warm Creek, Arizona February 1912	Abandoned Spring 1912
Cliff Dweller	Stern		70 feet	20 feet	Halverson’s Utah November 1905	To Salt Lake April 1907
Cochan	Stern	234	135 feet	31 feet	Yuma, Arizona November 1899	Dismantled Spring 1910
Cocopah I	Stern		140 feet	29 feet	Gridiron, Mexico August 1859	Dismantled 1867
Cocopah II	Stern	231	147.5 feet	28 feet	Yuma, Arizona March 1867	Dismantled 1881
Colorado I	Stern		120 feet		Estuary, Mexico December 1855	Dismantled August 1862
Colorado II	Stern	179	145 feet	29 feet	Yuma, Arizona May 1862	Dismantled August 1882
Comet	Stern		60 feet	20 feet	Green River, Wyoming July 1908	Abandoned 1908
Esmeralda	Stern		93 feet	13 feet	Robinson’s, Mexico December 1857	Dismantled 1868
General Jesup	Side		104 feet	17 feet	Estuary, Mexico January, 1864	Engine Removed 1858
General Rosales	Stern				Yuma, Arizona July 1878	Dismantled 1859
Gila	Stern	236	149 feet	31 feet	Port Isabel, Mexico January 1873	Rebuilt as Cochan 1889
Major Powell	Screw		35 feet	8 feet	Green River, Utah August 1891	Dismantled 1894
Mohave I	Stern	193	135 feet	28 feet	Estuary, Mexico May 1864	Dismantled 1875
Mohave II	Stern	188	149.5 feet	31.5 feet	Port Isabel, Mexico February 1876	Dismantled Jan 1900
Nina Tilden	Stern	120	97 feet	22 feet	San Francisco, California July 1864	Wrecked September 1874
Retta	Stern		36 feet	6 feet	Yuma, Arizona 1900	Sunk Feburary, 1905
St. Vallier	Stern	92	74 feet	17 feet	Needles, California Early 1899	Sunk March 1909
San Jorge	Screw		38 feet	9 feet	Yuma, Arizona June 1901	To Gulf July 1901
Searchlight	Stern	98	91 feet	18feet	Needles, California December 1902	Lost October 1916
Uncle Sam	Side	40	65 feet	16 feet	Estuary, Mexico November 1852	Sunk May 1853
Undine	Stern		60 feet	10 feet	Green River, Utah November 1901	Wrecked May 1902

Steamboats on the Colorado River 1852-1916 – Appendix A

St Thomas Trail Map

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Early Life and Education

Grand Canyon Expeditions

Scientific Contributions

Conservation Advocacy

Legacy and Impact

References

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Flood Waters

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Trail Map

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

References

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Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Marker Summary

References

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Colorado River Steamship Landings

Colorado River Steamship Landings

Steamboats on the Colorado River

Resources

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