1959 Map of Ringbolt Rapids

About this map

Black Canyon serves as the dramatic centerpiece of this late 1950s survey, where the Colorado River carves a deep boundary between Arizona and Nevada. The river corridor is defined by a series of turbulent whitewater reaches, including Ringbolt Rapids, Cross Current Rapids, and Horseshoe Rapids. This section of the river, within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, showcases the complex hydrology of the canyon prior to further regional development, marked by the presence of a Gaging Station and several remote Hot Springs. On the Arizona side, the landscape is dominated by steep drainages like White Rock Canyon and Horsethief Canyon, while the Nevada side is guarded by the high peaks of the Eldorado Mountains. The map also documents institutional footprints in this wild terrain, specifically the Ranger Station and a State Fish Hatchery located near the southern bend of the river.