The Black Canyon of the Colorado River

The Black Canyon of the Colorado River is part of thekayakers and canoeers to have their boats taken
Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It lies on theaway.
portion of the river between the Nevada and ArizonaWithin the Black Canyon on the Nevada side, is the
borders. The Hoover Dam is located in the north endBlack Canyon Wilderness. This protected area was
of the canyon. The dam, constructed in the 1930s, is adesignated by congress in 2002. The National Park
National Historic Landmark.Serves manages the Wilderness, which has a total of
The Colorado River in the Black Canyon is about 60017,220 acres. Wildlife in the area includes the desert
feet lower than the top of the Hoover Dam. bighorn sheep, coyotes, mountain lions, desert tortoises,
The canyon is popular for kayaking, rafting, canoeing,jackrabbits, western diamondback rattlesnake,
and boating. It is a scenic canyon that has blackside-blotched lizard, and Gila monsters.
volcanic rocks, jagged mountains, and oldVisitors in the canyon can also see the Sauna Cave.
archaeological and mining artifacts. The volcanic rock inMiners constructing the Hoover Dam in the early 1930s
the Black Canyon is believed to be between 20 anddrilled the cave on the Nevada side of the river. The
40 million years old. Several river rafting companiescave is deep and contains calcium carbonate crystals
offer rafting trips through the Black Canyon. There areon the walls. Temperatures in the cave can reach 120
several rapids sections of the river through the canyon.degrees as there is a hot springs at the end of the
Following releases of water from the Hoover Dam,cave. South of the Black Canyon is another reservoir,
swift current conditions can exist in the canyon belowLake Mohave. The impounding of the Colorado River
the dam. Boaters should take precautions and not beby the Davis Dam, which is 45 miles downstream from
alone. If inexperienced, boaters should be accompaniedHoover Dam, formed it.
by a certified guide. Water releases can also cause