Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Cool off with a river run

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, July 5, 2000 | 11:12 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at PDelGiudice@compuserve.com.

The stretch of the Colorado River from Hoover Dam down to Willow Beach isn't like it was 20 years ago when on a Sunday afternoon you could drift for hours without seeing another human.

Then again, considering how much the population and number of visitors to Southern Nevada have grown during that time period, a day on that stretch of water seems to be a well-kept secret.

Those with boats, canoes, kayaks or personal watercraft should add this river run to their list of "must do's."

And you can enjoy seeing the river on your own even if you don't own your own watercraft. Willow Beach Harbor, part of Forever Resorts (well known on Lake Mead for its house and pleasure boat rentals) rents a variety of boats out of its operation at Willow Beach, Ariz.

Also available at Willow Beach is a well-stocked convenience store (which includes bait and tackle), a launch ramp and marine fuel. No overnight facilities are available. For more information or to reserve a rental, call (520) 767-4747.

The other way to enjoy this scenic stretch of river is on a Black Canyon River Raft Tour. This day trip starts as close to Hoover Dam as anyone can get and continues to Willow Beach. The cost includes transportation from Boulder City to the launch site and from the takeout spot at Willow Beach back to Boulder City. The cost is approximately $75.

The water between the dam and Willow Beach is flat -- no whitewater -- so the float is perfect for people of all ages. Because the water is flat -- only one small rapid rated a "1" -- it is a beautiful stretch of water for canoeing and kayaking.

The breeze blowing off the water is cooler and more refreshing than any air-conditioned room. The air is cleaner and the scenery is stunning.

The rock walls rise high above the river, giving way to beautiful mountains in the backdrop. Along the way you'll see waterfalls, hot springs (keep your head above the water to avoid contact with Naegliria fowleri, an amoeba that can cause fulminating meningoencephalitis -- a fatal illness), crystalline blue, green and icy cold water and perhaps wildlife (we saw a family of mallards, a red-tailed hawk, cormorants and turkey vultures). Desert bighorn sheep come down to drink from the river and occasionally kit foxes or coyotes are seen.

Those spending time on the river (or anywhere outdoors) this summer should take adequate precautions. Sunblock is a must, as is a good supply of drinking water. Don't overdo your physical activity when temperatures soar.

Fishing is another activity to check out while on the river. The best striper fishing continues to be downstream of Willow Beach near Cottonwood Cove. Anglers are catching stripers on sardines, anchovies and A.C. Plugs.

Trout fishing is good around Willow Beach. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's new policy of releasing larger trout to help them stay out of the striped bass' lair is working. More carryover trout are being caught. According to the folks at the Willow Beach Store, an eight-pound trout was taken off the point just across the river from the hatchery on the Nevada side of the river. Anglers are using Power Bait and worms to catch the trout. Willow Beach was stocked with trout last week.

Those spending the day launching out of Willow Beach should allow plenty of travel time to negotiate the dam. Traffic was bumper to bumper for more than an hour as the flow crawled over the dam. It's a very difficult way to end an otherwise perfect day enjoying one of our most special outdoor resources.

In the past seven years, 41 boaters have died in Nevada, according to NDOW. More than half of these deaths could have been prevented if the boaters were wearing lifejackets, according to NDOW officials.

Loaner lifejackets may be obtained from NDOW game wardens, Park Service rangers and volunteers and the NDOW offices at 4747 Vegas Drive in Las Vegas and 744 South Racetrack Road in Henderson. They may be returned to any of these locations or dropped off at Callville Bay, Lake Mead or Las Vegas Bay marinas.