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1959 Map of Willow Beach

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Willow Beach
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

The Colorado River carves through the deep trench of Black Canyon along the border of Clark County, Nevada, and Mohave County, Arizona. This mid-century survey captures the river corridor as it transitions into the southern reaches of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where the rising waters of Lake Mead meet the remaining white water of Roaring Rapids and Shallow Rapids. At Willow Beach, the presence of a Boat Ramp and a gauging station signifies the area's development as a recreational and hydrological hub during the post-war era.

The topography is dominated by the steep walls of the Eldorado Mountains and the distinctive Malpais Flat Top Mesa. Local geography is marked by descriptively named landmarks such as Monkey Rock, The Caves, and the Chalk Cliffs. Remnants of mineral exploration are visible at a small Prospect near the river, while natural drainages like Jumbo Wash and Lonesome Wash underscore the arid environment of the surrounding desert basins.