Willow Beach Gauging Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Willow Beach Gauging Station
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Willow Beach Gauging Station
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| Nearest city | Boulder City, Nevada |
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| Built | 1934 |
| Architect | U.S. Geological Survey; Baumgartner, J.A. |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000587 |
| Added to NRHP | March 21, 1986 |
The Willow Beach Gauging Station is a special place that helps us understand how much water flows in the Colorado River. It's located inside the beautiful Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This important station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 21, 1986, which means it's recognized as a historic landmark.
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What is a Gauging Station?
A gauging station is like a giant measuring tool for rivers. It helps scientists and engineers keep track of how much water is flowing past a certain point. This information is super important for many reasons, like managing water supplies for cities, planning for floods, and even generating electricity.
Why Measure River Flow?
Measuring river flow helps people manage water resources. It tells us if there's enough water for drinking, farming, and wildlife. It also helps predict if a river might flood, giving people time to prepare. For big rivers like the Colorado, which supplies water to millions, this data is vital.
Where is Willow Beach Gauging Station?
The Willow Beach Gauging Station is found along the Colorado River. It sits north of a spot called Willow Beach, right between two large lakes: Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. The station is on the Nevada side of the river.
How Was It Built?
This station was built in 1931. Its main job was to measure the water flow after the water passed through the huge Hoover Dam. The station includes special cables, a walkway (called a catwalk), and a trail. These parts help workers reach the equipment that measures the river.
Getting to the Station
You can reach the Willow Beach Gauging Station in a couple of ways. One way is by boat directly from the river. Another way is by using a special tramway that comes from the Arizona side of the river.