Camera Cruising Lake Mohave and Lake Mead

"DOWNSTREAM VIEW OF DAVIS DAM" Davis Dam is reached from Kingman over Arizona 68, the highway crossing on top of the dam to enter Nevada. Davis Dam, sixty-seven miles below Hoover Dam, is part of the Colorado River Project. It is 1600 feet long at the crest and 138 feet high. Located in Pyramid Canyon, Davis Dam was originally called Bullhead Dam because of a rock formation at the dam site. The dam was renamed in 1941 after Arthur Powell Davis, Director of Reclamation, 1914-1923. Water began to be stored behind the dam in January, 1950. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.22 at 1/25th sec.; 51/4" Schneider Xenar lens; April.

"MARINA KATHERINE WASH RESORT" The Katherine Wash marina is a busy place throughout the year as more and more recreation seekers are discovering all the boating and fishing opportunities Lake Mohave has to offer. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.18 at 1/50th sec.; 65mm Angulon lens; November; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 250; ASA rating 64.

"SANDY BEACH LAKE MOHAVE" Photo taken at Katherine Wash near Davis Dam on lower Lake Mohave. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.30 at 1/10th sec.; 360mm Tele-Xenar lens; November; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 400; ASA rating 64.

"IN BLACK CANYON - LAKE MOHAVE" This photograph was taken in Black Canyon above Willow Beach on upper Lake Mohave. The trout fishing here is considered the best with many record catches having been turned in. The water being released from Hoover Dam, a few miles upstream, is perfect for trout culture. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.29 at 1/25th sec.; 127mm Ektar lens; November; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 350; ASA rating 64.

"RINGBOLT RAPIDS - UPPER LAKE MOHAVE" Photo taken at Ringbolt Rapids about ten miles above Willow Beach on upper Lake Mohave. Before the lake started forming, these rapids were a dangerous hazard to boaters. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.27 at 1/25th sec.; 150mm Symmar lens; November; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 300; ASA rating 64.

"QUIET WATERS UPPER LAKE MOHAVE" This photograph shows the quiet, placid waters of upper Lake Mohave near Willow Beach Resort, where the fishing is good and the scenery eye-catching, to say the least; 4x5 Crown Graphic; Ektachrome; f.30 at 1/25th sec.; 127mm Ektar lens; April; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 400; ASA rating 50.

"WHERE THE BOATING IS FUN" The lakes formed by dams on the Colorado along Arizona's eastern boundary provide unlimited opportunities for your boating pleasure. 4x5 Speed Graphic camera; Ektachrome; f.11 at 1/100th sec.; bright sunshine, early fall afternoon.

"MOHAVE VISTA NEAR COTTONWOOD COVE" Photo taken near Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave. In thisarea the lake reaches its widest point. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.27 at 1/25th sec.; 360mm Tele-Xenar lens; November; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 300; ASA rating 64.

"AIR VIEW HOOVER DAM AND LAKE MEAD" This photograph shows Hoover Dam in its dramatic setting in Black Canyon, with the expansive waters of Lake Mead stretching out behind it. Work on the dam began in 1931. The dam was dedicated in 1935. 4x5 Speed Graphic camera; Ektachrome E3; f.11 at 1/400th sec.; Ektar lens; September; full sun; meter reading 600; ASA rating 64.

"WATER PLAYGROUND LAKE MEAD" Photo taken at Kingman Wash on Lake Mead, a popular playground area for sportsmen. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.32 at 1/50th sec.; 150mm Symmar lens; August; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 400; ASA rating 64.

"PIERCE FERRY - LAKE MEAD" Photo taken at Pierce Ferry, on upper Lake Mead, not far from where the lake joins the lower reaches of Grand Canyon. A ferry was established here on the Colorado in the 1870's to transport Mormon pioneers from Utah to the mineral areas of Mohave County. 4x5 Crown Graphic camera; Ektachrome; f.24 at 1/25th sec.; 127mm Ektar lens; April; late afternoon sunlight; Weston Meter 300; ASA rating 50.

"IN VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK, NEVADA" Photo taken in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, scenic area noted for its unusual and colorful rock formations. Lake Mead is seen in the distance. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.27 at 1/50th sec.; 360mm Tele-Xenar lens; August; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 600; ASA rating 64.

"A LAKE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES" On a hot summer day, the inviting waters of a quiet cove on any of the lakes on the Colorado prove irresistible for the visitor. 5x7 Linhof camera; daylight Ektachrome; f.8 at 1/500th sec.; Schneider Symmar lens; thin overcast; ASA rating 64.

"LAKE MEAD VISTA" Photograph was taken near a view point just west of Hoover Dam looking toward Boulder Beach on Lake Mead. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.22 at 1/25th sec.; 127mm Ektar lens; August; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 200; ASA rating 64.

"BIG SANDY - LAKE MEAD" Photo was taken at Big Sandy, a popular picnic spot about ten miles north of Hoover Dam. This beach can be reached only by boat. 4x5 Graphic camera; Ektachrome; f.22 at 1/10th sec.; Optar 4.7 lens; spring; sunny day; meter reading 400; ASA rating 10. "VIRGIN BASIN AT SUNSET" BY CLIFF SEGER-BLOM. Photo taken just off East Point, Arizona, in the Virgin Basin of Lake Mead. Rolleiflex camera; Ektachrome; f.8 at 1/100th sec.; Xenotar 3.5 lens; spring; after storm; ASA 32.

A VISIT TO LAKE MOHAVE

May through September (depending upon the water level of the river) steamers coming up the Colorado stopped at its docks.

Between Eldorado Canyon and Cottonwood Cove Mohave's sparkling blue waters lap at the colorful desert foothills of Opal, Fire, and Davis Mountains.

This is prime bass fishing territory and there are always many boats to be seen, either anchored at their favorite fishing spots or hurrying with their white wakes behind them to get there.

White numbers painted on the rocky shoreline indicate the distance in miles from Eldorado Canyon and continue about half way to Cottonwood Cove.

This fine resort, about eighteen miles down-lake from Eldorado, has very ambitious plans for the enlargement of its facilities. Its excellent fishing, desert lake scenery, and fine harbor have already made it a favorite with a large number of Lake Mohave users. With the completion of its projected improvements, Cottonwood Cove, located approximately fifteen miles by pavement from Searchlight, Nevada, should become a truly outstanding area.

A short distance below Cottonwood Cove, Lake Mohave attains its greatest width, in a ten mile long basin - also called Cottonwood. At one point here it stretches, as though in relief from its previously cramped quarters, over four miles between its shores.

A strong wind can build up surprisingly large waves in this section. The Park Service advises small boat operators to check advance weather forecasts before going to the Basin and to head into a protected cove immediately if a wind does come up.

There are many interesting coves and canyons to explore in the twenty-two miles of rugged shoreline from Cottonwood Cove to Katherine Wash near Davis Dam.

Also, at many places along the way there are fine, sandy beaches ideal for picnicking and warm weather camping. In the summer months these "little Saharas" take on quite a festive air with many colorful tents decorating their sands.

Silhouetted on the eastern skyline near Katherine is the "Sleeping Princess." This mountain and most others of the area are vast repositories for an incalculable number of old mines. Their exploration is becoming one of the outstanding attractions for visitors to Katherine Wash.

This large resort has achieved an enviable reputation as a beautiful and ultra-modern recreational center for fishermen, boaters, skiers, campers, quail hunters, and explorers. Swimming enthusiasts are also well provided for with a free, public beach which is watched over by a life guard during the summer months.

The resort's already impressive facilities are currently being expanded even further to keep up with its great popularity. Katherine Wash is only thirty-two miles by paved highways from Kingman, Arizona, from which it draws many of its enthusiastic visitors.

Across from Katherine on the Nevada side of the lake is one of the most extensive and well preserved petroglyph sites in the Southwest. It is called Grapevine (or Petroglyph) Canyon, and some of its "rock pictures" are thought to be a thousand years old. Archaeologists believe they were made by prehistoric Indians who camped in the canyon while hunting bighorn sheep. Fragments of their cooking vessels have been found beneath several overhanging ledges. This little-known area can be reached easily by ordinary passenger cars and free maps showing its exact location are available at the Katherine Wash Ranger Station.

The Lake Mohave Region is enjoyable at any season of the year, although winters can be chilly and summers quite warm. Surprisingly, however, records show that the greatest amount of travel comes in the hottest months when daytime temperatures may reach 110 degrees. Low humidity and comfortable nights are the important compensating factors. But whether you visit Lake Mohave in a winter coat or summer shorts. I am certain that you will find it very much to your liking.