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1953 Map of Hoover Dam

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Hoover Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Hoover Dam stands as the central monument of this mid-century survey, controlling the waters of the Colorado River and the expanding Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The map details the intricate shoreline of the reservoir, from Callville Bay to the Virgin Basin, showing numerous coves and islands created by the rising waters. Inland from the water's edge, the landscape is defined by the stark geology of the Gale Hills, the colorful Bowl of Fire, and the high ridges of Hamblin Mountain.

Resource extraction and early habitation are evidenced by labels for Borax, the Old Pope Mine, and the Cohehour Mine. Cultural history is marked on the land at a Petroglyph site near Black Canyon, while navigation is aided by landmarks like Beacon Rock and Sentinel Island. This edition includes underwater contours compiled from later sedimentation studies, offering a rare view of the submerged canyon floor beneath the Boulder Basin.