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1970 Map of Davis Dam

Name: 1970 Topographic Map of Davis Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Davis Dam anchors this transition of the Colorado River from the Lake Mead National Recreation Area into the developed valleys of the Arizona and Nevada borderlands. The 1970 landscape reveals a mix of industrial infrastructure and early recreation, with the Mohave Generating Station and its large Industrial Waste Pond standing in contrast to the nearby Sportsman Paradise County Campground and Lake Mohave Resort. Along the riverbanks, the growth of Bullhead City and Laughlin is evident, served by the Bullhead City Airport and a network of pipelines and substations.

Historical mining activity remains a prominent feature in the surrounding desert hills, particularly around the Katherine Mine and Katherine Extension Mine. These industrial sites, alongside numerous Gravel Pits and Borrow Pits, indicate the region's reliance on mineral extraction and the construction requirements of the dam. Cultural landmarks such as Inscription Rock and the Katherine Ranger Station provide touchpoints for those tracing the development of the river corridor before the modern expansion of these desert communities.