River marks Nevada’s low point near Laughlin (2024)

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River marks Nevada’s low point near Laughlin (1)

The Colorado River south of Laughlin enjoys the honor of being the Silver State’s lowest geographic spot. (Alan Snel/Las Vegas Review-Journal

River marks Nevada’s low point near Laughlin (2)

The Colorado River south of Laughlin enjoys the honor of being the Silver State’s lowest geographic spot. (Alan Snel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

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By ALAN SNEL LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

February 22, 2014 - 8:42 am

Editor’s Note: Nevada 150 is a yearlong series highlighting the people, places and things that make up the history of the state.

In a state known for its high desert and soaring peaks, Nevada’s lowest point is actually a watery location not far from Arizona and California.

At 479 feet, the Colorado River south of Laughlin enjoys the honor of being the Silver State’s lowest geographic spot.

The low elevation in the Laughlin area provides a low humidity climate and warm winter weather that attracts boaters in the summer and snowbirds in the winter months, said Meg McDaniel, senior manager of external destinations for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

In essence, the Colorado River is Laughlin’s main street, she said. The river provides a water avenue for the hotel docks, personal watercraft recreation, fishing, scuba diving, river boat tours and a place for water-based events.

“Descending from any direction into the Colorado River valley is a spectacular sight of casino lights reflecting off the river,” McDaniel said. “It is the centerpiece of Laughlin’s experience.”

The Colorado River might be Nevada’s low point, but it’s a high point for critters. The river lures big horn sheep, bobcats, foxes, burros, raccoons and beavers.

And for bird lovers, consider that more than 300 species migrate through the Colorado River valley primarily in the late winter and spring.

The low point on the river has some fascinating features. For example, the water depth ranges from eight to 60 feet. It’s crystal clear and visitors have been known to see fish swimming from the river walk. The river is a chilly 55degrees year-round when it emerges from the base of Davis Dam.

Celebrating the Silver State

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River marks Nevada’s low point near Laughlin (2024)

FAQs

How deep is the Colorado River near Laughlin? ›

The river widens here to a broad, moderately deep waterway averaging 500 to 1,000 feet (150 to 300 m) wide and reaching up to 0.25 miles (400 m) across, with depths ranging from 8 to 60 feet (2 to 20 m).

Is it expensive to live in Laughlin, Nevada? ›

According to C2ER (the Council for Community and Economic Research), the cost of living in Laughlin is estimated to be 97.5% of the national average making it an average US city.

Where does the water from Laughlin come from? ›

Colorado River water is collected below Davis Dam. The water is treated and delivered to Laughlin businesses and residents. Water is pumped through the intake pumping station through a large diameter pipe and sent to the water treatment facility.

What river is next to Laughlin? ›

Coursing more than a thousand miles from the Rockies to the Sea of Cortez, the mighty Colorado River provides irrigation, public water and hydroelectric power to parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. In Laughlin, the river also offers a wide spectrum of recreational activities.

Can you swim in the Colorado River in Laughlin? ›

A recreational hideaway

Only slightly off the beaten path, the Big Bend of the Colorado Recreation Area is about five miles south of Laughlin at the southern tip of Nevada. Another place for those into light adventure, swimming, boating, fishing or just a casual family picnic. There's also a 24-unit RV campground.

How fast does the Colorado River flow in Laughlin, Nevada? ›

Pertinent Information. This section of the Colorado River flows from Davis Dam downstream for 12 miles before entering Arizona and California. Daily and seasonal flows generally vary between 2,000 and 20,000 cubic feet per second.

Is Laughlin in decline? ›

Once a boomtown, Laughlin has seen nothing but declines for a dozen years, almost exactly coinciding with the loss of regular airline flights after Sept. 11, 2001. The 2.1 million visitors recorded last year by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is less than half the 1997 peak.

What's the coldest month in Laughlin Nevada? ›

Seasonal Temperatures
MonthsHighsLows
September106°75°
October88°57°
November69°43°
December63°44°
8 more rows

Is Laughlin a good place to retire? ›

Laughlin offers residents a good quality of life. The cost of living here is relatively less than in other cities or towns within Nevada. Housing is also more affordable, which means that you're likely to find a well-built house here that suits your requirements at a lower price than you would in most American cities.

What is the ethnicity of Laughlin? ›

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Laughlin
ANCESTRY BREAKDOWNCOMPOSITION
British & Irish56.9%
French & German23.4%
Eastern European4.4%
Other15.3%

How cold is the river in Laughlin? ›

The water temp in the Colorado River at Laughlin is around 60 degrees. It doesn't vary much during the year because the river flows from the bottom of Lake Mojave.

What kind of fish are in the river in Laughlin? ›

The Colorado River flows right through the Nevada and Arizona border near Laughlin and Bullhead. From here you can fish on the river or fish in the popular area of Davis Dam. A largemouth bass, maybe, or a rainbow trout. Channel catfish, black crappie, walleye and striped bass are all popular catches.

How deep is the river at Laughlin? ›

The low point on the river has some fascinating features. For example, the water depth ranges from eight to 60 feet.

Where is the new bridge being built in Laughlin? ›

The bridge is located eight miles south of Laughlin's other bridge, which opened in 1987. There is a third, privately-maintained bridge, called Veterans Bridge, six miles south of the new structure that connects Fort Mohave, Arizona via Aztec Road with the land at the Avi Resort & Casino on the Nevada side.

Can you walk along the river in Laughlin? ›

Beautifully maintained and offering stunning views of the city and the river, the paved walking path lies adjacent to the Hotel Corridor along Casino Drive and is a great way to get from one casino to the other while soaking up sights like local fish and waterfowl to the boats sailing by.

What is the average depth of the Colorado River? ›

The river's average width is 300 feet across, although it narrows to only 76 feet wide at mile 135, where the river, 85 feet deep, is also at its deepest. On average, the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon is 40 feet deep. The water depth is quite shallow near the Tanner Rapids.

How cold is the Colorado River in Laughlin? ›

The water temp in the Colorado River at Laughlin is around 60 degrees. It doesn't vary much during the year because the river flows from the bottom of Lake Mojave.

What kind of fish are in the Colorado River by Laughlin, Nevada? ›

The Colorado River flows right through the Nevada and Arizona border near Laughlin and Bullhead. From here you can fish on the river or fish in the popular area of Davis Dam. A largemouth bass, maybe, or a rainbow trout. Channel catfish, black crappie, walleye and striped bass are all popular catches.

How deep is the Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend? ›

Here at Horseshoe Bend, the Colorado River created a roughly 1,000 ft (305 m) deep, 270º horseshoe-shaped bend in Glen Canyon.

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