“I remember coming here to fish when I was young in the early ’70s,” said the now-senior man. “It was a great place for families to camp, go boating, and just have fun.”
My lovely wife, Laureen, and I had just met this man on the banks of the Colorado River not far south of Hoover Dam.
In full clarity we were in Lake Mojave, but it's still all part of the Colorado River. In fact, gold ore was transported along a river near the town of Nelson, 350 miles to the Gulf of California. Construction of the Hoover Dam and Davis Dam, among others, tamed the river and created artificial lakes, all of which are part of the Colorado River system.
As we were exploring places we had never been before, we came to the shore of crystal clear water.
“And then, in an instant, everything disappeared,” he concluded, driving off west along the beach.
It was a humbling moment to realize that we were standing where Nelson's Landing once stood. A river resort that has been loved and shared by countless people for decades.
Nelson's Landing was located at the western end of Lake Mojave in the El Dorado Valley, about eight miles east of the ghost town of Nelson where Laureen and I were headed. But before we knew it, there was a different story at the end of the trail when we decided to drive past a ghost town.
“Let's see if we can get to the river this way before we tour Nelson,'' said Laureen, and her devoted husband and traveler agreed.
“All roads lead to interesting places,” I answered.
At that point, the idea that I was interested was an understatement. It turned out to be a black ribbon of asphalt, and beyond it was a story of horror and tragedy.
Nelson's Landing was a small coastal community enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. With mobile homes, RVs, campgrounds, boat launches, restaurants, and other amenities, this is a must-see river spot.
If you're looking for water activities, try Lake Mead, north of Hoover Dam, or Lake Mojave, south of Hoover Dam. Choose what you like. Both would be good choices on a hot day. It was also easily accessible to those living near Boulder City or Las Vegas, which is only 80 miles away.
One of those summer days was September 14, 1974. At that time, people were riding boats, lying on the sand, camping, and enjoying lunch at one of the restaurants on the Landing, when an unexpected situation reared its ugly head.
A few miles to the west, storm clouds appeared, dumping monsoon-like amounts of rain on the desert soil in just a few minutes.
Torrents splashed across the desert floor, but the sun-baked earth became like tiles, and the rain rolled unflinchingly down the hill, just as gravity intended.
Soon, 40-foot waves of water from five small canyons were rushing through El Dorado Canyon toward the resort. In just a few minutes, the resort was completely obliterated.
Only the memories of those who survived were left behind in the rubble.
Nine people died on that fateful day.
According to an online news article from 8@NewsNow.com (Las Vegas) on July 9, 2019, resident Tony Worley said: Clouds were coming down the mountain so they (those who were enjoying the day at Nelson Landing) were trying to get their boat pier out of the water before the rain came. They had no idea what was coming down the valley. ”
Worley said his former teacher, Jack Daly, was also one of the victims of the flood disaster.
“Daly was a teacher at my school when I was in high school, and he was one of those who died.”
Daley's friend, John Gerifent, was also interviewed.
“Jack was into boating,” Ms. Gerifendt said. “He was just coming back when he hit a wall of water.''
It turns out that Mr Gerifent's teacher and friend had been enjoying a swim in the river, and when they returned to the beach by boat, they were caught up in the path of the devastating floodwaters and died just offshore.
Nelson's Landing was never rebuilt. Signs are now in place warning visitors that the possibility of severe flooding is a natural and present danger.
We looked around the area. One minute the visitors were having the time of their lives, and then the next moment they were running out of time.
“How awful,” said Laureen. “Enjoy a great day here with your family and it will happen.”
I didn't reply. My eyes fixed on the blue water of the river in front of me, and I could hear the screams of terror from people everywhere watching the tsunami roll in.
It must have been heart-breaking to watch the search and rescue efforts being made through the rubble of what was once a popular beach resort.
It doesn't take a vivid imagination to feel what the poor people felt as they looked west across El Dorado Valley and saw nothing but giant waves of water filled with debris rushing towards them. was.
I felt a chill run down my spine. It's amazing to be standing in such a gorgeous place like this and realize that you're standing on sacred ground.
People were dying here. Their only downside is enjoying hot summer days in the cold ocean.
That's not what we expected as we happily drove north along U.S. Highway 93 toward Boulder City, Nevada, and took a short jaunt toward the ghost town of Nelson. .
A few years ago, my friend Paul and I took a pontoon boat trip up the Colorado River from Katherine Landing. It was a casual camping trip, visiting beautiful coves, gorges, hidden coves, and witnessing a family of bighorn sheep and wild donkeys. The final destination is Willow Beach, on the Arizona coast 19 miles northwest toward Hoover Dam.
The day before, we witnessed dozens of people laughing and jumping off a fairly high natural cliff along the Colorado River in Shore, Nevada.
During the warmer months, people flock to Nelson's Landing to jump off the cliffs into Lake Mojave. Caution and common sense are advised along the steep walls, some of which are 50 feet high.
I wondered if those people who loved summer realized that half a century ago, on that sunny September day, some people risked their lives and others fought in vain.
“I passed this place on my boat without realizing the tragedy that had occurred,” I said to Laureen. “When Paul and I were on our way to Hoover Dam and saw people jumping into the water, we never thought about where this place was and how tragic it was.”
Laureen nodded.
Temperatures were in the low 30s when we visited in January, but the sun was shining, the water sparkling, and the sand crunching under our feet.
This picturesque setting showed no signs of past disasters. It's just quiet and beautiful.
According to the National Weather Service, “Flash flooding can roll rocks, tear up trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and dig new waterways.” If water levels rise rapidly, they can reach heights of 30 feet or more. there is. In addition, rain that causes flash flooding can also cause catastrophic landslides. We don't always get warning that such deadly sudden floods are coming. Most flood deaths are due to flash floods.
Fun-loving people enjoying a hot September day in 1974 didn't give much thought to the dark clouds on the horizon. Why should we do that? However, in the blink of an eye, heavy rain poured down, and the casual event turned into an unforgettable and tragic disaster.
Teacher Jack Daly never lived to see the school that bears his name in Las Vegas, Daly Elementary School.
I often despise being in nature and ignoring one sign or another, but as I drove out of El Dorado Valley on a January morning, the signs are there for a reason. It reminded me that I have to take it seriously.
Contact John: beyersbyways@gmail.com
