WSP10089

• File Number: 8220.200.05.A
• Description: Hoover Dam/Lake Mead/Boulder Canyon Project
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1950
• Title: The Story of Hoover Dam: Conservation Bulletin No. 9
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

l'Iitu~igation tIn the Colo,'ado

A fifth benefit from Hoover Dam's construction is the improvement of
navigation on those sections of the Colorado below Grand Canyon.
Technically, the Colorado always was considered to be a navigable stream.
Actually, under natural conditions of unregulated stream flow, navigation
of the river was extremely hazardous and decidedly impracticable.
Construction of Hoover Dam, however, created Lake l\lead which extends
115 miles above the dam. Now, craft ranging in size from small boats
po\vered by outboard motors to luxurious cabin cruisers, daily ply the waters
of Lake Mead.
The regulation of the river!s flow afforded by Hoover Dam, made possible
the construction of Parker Dam, 155 miles below Hoover. Back of Parker
Dam is Lake Havasu, which affords much the same conditions as exi5t on
Lake Mead.
Sixty. seven miles belo\v Hoover Dam is the Davis damsite. Scheduled
for completion in 1950, Davis Dam will create a reservoir which will extend
nearly to the tailrace of the Hoover power plant.
Thus, with these projects completed navigation will be an accomplished
fact on these large inland reservoirs.

it NatiQn"s New Play"rollnd

A sixth of truly symbolical benefit resulting from Hoover Dam-a national
instrument for the use and enjoyment of the people-is the creation of a
national playground.
By an agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the National
Park Service, effected in 1936, the Lake Mead recreational area was created.
The latter agency was made responsible for developing the recreational
facilities of this great inland lake. Through the efforts of the National
Park Service, Lake Mead has become one of the Nation's outstanding play.
grounds.
The Lake Mead recreational area includes not only Lake Mead, but ex.
tends tei areas adjacent to the Colorado River for a distance of some 40
miles below Hoover Dam. Late in 1947 the recreational area was extended
to inc1 ude the reservoir to be created by Davis Darn.
Visitors to the Lake Mead recreational area come from all parts of the
world.
The visitors numbered 1,342,204 for the year of 1947. They came from
every State in the Nation and representatives of 41 foreign lands were
included in the totals. They used every conceivable mode of transportation.
Lake Mead, alone, is considered worth traveling hundreds of miles to see.
The US. mile lake reaches up into the lower end of Grand Canyon, and
5tretches past frowning mountains, colorful canyons and narrow gorges,
opening areas of Nature's majestic handiwork-areas which for centuries
had been inaccessible to other than the most intrepid explorer.

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With 550 miles of shore line. there is ample opportunity for camping,
swimming, boating, and fishing. Although temperatures are high during the
summer months, the heat is not exhaustive as the relative humidity is ex-
tremeh'lov.'. The late fall and early spring are especially delightful.
The. recreational area created by Hoover Dam is a day's drive by auto.
mobile from Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
Although all types of water sports are popular, fishing is the prime attrac-
tion. Lake Mead abounds in black bass, bluegill perch, crappie. and catfish.
There is no closed season imposed on Lake wlead, and the fisherman may try
his luck any day in the year.
Below Hoover Darn the Colorado River has been planted with thousands
of rainbow trout. It has become one of the finest trout streams in the
Southwest. The clear, cold water pouring down from the deep recesses of
Lake l\lead creates a perfect habitat for the beauties.

NeL'uda win;; of the Hoover Dam pou;er plant. Scerle shows one of the huge
rotors being moved by the giant cranes.