Near Temple Bar Marina in Mohave County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Taming the Colorado

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 2, 2017

1. Taming the Colorado Marker

Inscription.
You are looking into Black Canyon and a narrow, river-like portion of Lake Mohave. To your left, about 59 miles downstream, is Davis Dam. To your right, 11 miles upstream, is Hoover Dam. The U.S. Government built the dams to tame the periodic flooding of the Colorado River, provide irrigation during dry periods, and generate electricity. The dams essentially accomplished these goals.

What effects, however, did they have on the environment? The deeper and wider waters attracted different bird species and altered the vegetation at the edges of Lake Mohave and Lake Mead. The slowing of the river’s flow made water temperature more constant, reduced sediment buildup below the dams, and disrupted the spawning cycles and habitats of native fish species.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 35° 52.927′ N, 114° 36.92′ W. Marker is near Temple Bar Marina, Arizona, in Mohave County. It can be reached from U.S. 93 at milepost 13 when traveling north. The marker is located at the Lake Mead Scenic View pull off. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Temple Bar Marina AZ 86443, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Colorado River Valley.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Explore Lake Mead (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First People (approx. 11.2 miles away); High on a Lonely Hill (approx. 11.2 miles away); Then and Now (approx. 11.2 miles away); Anson Smith (approx. 11.4 miles away); Hoover Dam (approx. 11½ miles away in Nevada); New Century, New Challenges (approx. 11.6 miles away in Nevada); Discover Hoover Dam (approx. 11.6 miles away in Nevada).

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 2, 2017

2. Taming the Colorado Marker

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 2, 2017

3. Taming the Colorado Marker

Hoover Dam Pictured on the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 2, 2017

4. Hoover Dam Pictured on the Marker

Davis Dam Pictured on the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 2, 2017

5. Davis Dam Pictured on the Marker

Black Canyon As Seen From the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 2, 2017

6. Black Canyon As Seen From the Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 859 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 8, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.