Lake Havasu ( / ˈ h ɑː v ə s uː / ) is a large reservoir formed by Parker Dam on the Colorado River , on the border between San Bernardino County, California , and Mohave County, Arizona . Lake Havasu City sits on the Arizonan side of the lake with its Californian counterpart of Havasu Lake directly across the lake. The reservoir has an available capacity of 619,400 acre-feet (0.7640 km ). The concrete arch dam was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation between 1934 and 1938. The lake's primary purpose is to store water for pumping into two aqueducts . Prior to the dam construction, the area was home to the Mojave people . The lake was named (in 1939) after the Mojave word for blue . In the early 19th century, it was frequented by beaver trappers. Spaniards also began to mine the areas along the river.
33-525: The Lake Havasu Unified School District is the school district headquartered in Lake Havasu City, Arizona . The superintendent is Rebecca Stone,PhD. The district includes Lake Havasu, Crystal Beach , and Desert Hills . Lake Havasu City, Arizona Lake Havasu City ( / ˈ h ɑː v ə s uː / , HAH -və-soo ) is a city in Mohave County , Arizona , United States. As of
66-470: A female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.69. In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.4% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
99-471: A ferry to Havasu Lake, California . Lake Havasu City Airport , also known as Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport, is a general aviation airport owned by the city and located 6 miles north of the central business district of Lake Havasu City. Lake Havasu City has a hot desert climate ( BWh ), with extremely hot summers , mild winters , and very little rainfall . The hottest temperature in Arizona
132-550: A peninsula that would eventually be transformed into an island. After four years of planning, McCulloch Properties acquired another 13,000 acres (53 km ) of federal land in the surrounding area. Lake Havasu City was established on September 30, 1963, by a resolution of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors, as the Lake Havasu Irrigation and Drainage District, making it a legal entity (the act
165-692: Is a remake of the 1978 film Piranha . It debuted in Lake Havasu on August 19, 2010, and was released nationally on August 20, 2010. The Concepts x New Balance Made in U.K. 991.5 "Lake Havasu" athletic shoe was inspired by the story of the London Bridge's relocation to Arizona, and the transatlantic partnership between U.K. shoe manufacturer New Balance and American shoe retailer Concepts. Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen officially declared February 27, 2018 as "Concepts/New Balance 991.5 'Made in U.K.' Lake Havasu Shoe Day." Indie rock band Pedro
198-828: Is located in Lake Havasu City. MCC also is home of one of the Northern Arizona University extended campuses. Arizona State University opened a new lower-tuition 4-year college campus, the ASU Colleges at Lake Havasu City , in August 2012. In September 2024, ASU announced that the campus would close in June 2025 in response to state budget cuts. The city operates under a council-manager form of government. The mayor and six councilmembers are elected to staggered four-year terms. The City Council sets
231-451: Is only 4.16 inches (106 millimeters); winter is the wettest season, but even then, rain occurs on an average of only 2–3 days per month. As of the census of 2000, there were 41,938 people, 17,911 households, and 12,716 families residing in the city. The population density was 974.4 inhabitants per square mile (376.2/km ). There were 23,018 housing units at an average density of 534.8 per square mile (206.5/km ). The racial makeup of
264-654: Is referenced in resolution #63-12-1). McCulloch Properties flew in prospective residents from around the United States for free in what became a substantial air operation. To qualify, prospective customers were required to put down a fully refundable deposit. McCulloch Properties acquired over a half-dozen commercial aircraft and in 1970, bought a small charter carrier, converting the operation into its own certificated airline, McCulloch International Airlines. From 1964 through 1978, 2,702 flights were made to Lake Havasu City bringing in prospective buyers. Lake Havasu City
297-668: Is well known for its recreational fishing and boating, which bring in about a million visitors a year. Fishing tournaments are often held on the lake, where bass are the main catch. Fish list : Largemouth bass , Smallmouth bass , Striped bass , Carp , Catfish (Channel) , Catfish (Flathead) , Crappie , Razorback sucker , Redear Sunfish , Sunfish (Cetrarchidae) . White sturgeon were stocked in Lake Havasu in 1967 and 1968 from stock obtained from San Pablo Bay, California. While some dead sturgeon were found downstream from Havasu (probably killed during passage over dams), living fish have not been recorded, but may still exist along
330-408: Is west-southwest of Parker Dam and gives the water an additional boost of 303 feet (92 m). The Colorado River Aqueduct has three more pumping plants: Iron Mountain (144 feet (44 m)), Eagle Mountain (438 feet (134 m)), and Julian Hinds (441 feet (134 m)). The total lift is 1,617 feet (493 m). The shorelines are in the ecotone (transition zone) of the higher Mojave Desert to
363-412: The 2020 census , the population of the city was 57,144, up from 52,527 in 2010. It is served by Lake Havasu City Airport . The community first started during World War II as Site Six, an Army Air Corps rest camp on the shores of Lake Havasu . In 1958, American businessman Robert P. McCulloch purchased 3,353 acres (13.57 km ) of property on the east side of the lake along Pittsburgh Point,
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#1732779506535396-501: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 46.4 square miles (120 km ), of which 0.05 square miles (0.13 km ), or 0.10%, are water. The only surface access to Lake Havasu City is by road via Arizona State Route 95 , which meets Interstate 40 19 miles (31 km) to the north of the city and Interstate 10 74 miles (119 km) to the south. C. V. Wood , who designed Disneyland,
429-570: The poverty line , including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over. Lake Havasu City is served by the Lake Havasu Unified School District . There are currently six elementary schools: Jamaica Elementary, Oro Grande Classical Academy, Starline Elementary, Smoketree Elementary, Nautilus Elementary, and Havasupai Elementary), one middle school (Thunderbolt Middle School), one high school ( Lake Havasu High School ), and several alternative schools in
462-615: The Lion 's sixth studio album Havasu was written about the one year of childhood the singer spent living in the city. Lake Havasu Mark Wilmer Pumping Plant pumps water into the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct . Whitsett Pumping Plant is located on the lake, and lifts the water 291 feet (89 m) for the Colorado River Aqueduct . Gene Pumping Plant, south of Gene Wash Reservoir,
495-516: The United States. Lake Havasu City is located in southwestern Mohave County on the east side of Lake Havasu , a reservoir on the Colorado River , at 34°29′N 114°19′W / 34.483°N 114.317°W / 34.483; -114.317 . It is 60 miles (97 km) south of Kingman , the Mohave county seat , and 193 miles (311 km) northwest of Phoenix . According to
528-405: The city was 94.4% White , 0.3% Black or African American , 0.7% Native American , 0.6% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 2.5% from other races , and 1.5% from two or more races. 7.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 17,911 households, out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 7.7% had
561-631: The city's policy and direction, and appoints the City Manager who is tasked with the responsibility for carrying out council policies and administering the day-to-day operations. Per the City Code, the Department Directors are appointed by the City Manager. As of November, 2008, 64 percent of registered voters in Lake Havasu City are Republican, 35 percent Democrat, and the remaining 1 percent Independent. Lake Havasu City hosted
594-416: The city. Lake Havasu Unified went through some strict budget cuts, closing one of its two middle schools (Daytona Middle School), and distributing 6th graders throughout the elementaries and 7th and 8th grades to Thunderbolt Middle School. Local voters passed a bond and a budget override for the district in 2016, helping to alleviate some school district budget problems. A campus of Mohave Community College
627-486: The eastern shore of Lake Havasu. Arizona State Parks operates Lake Havasu State Park and Cattail Cove State Park on the eastern shore of the lake. The northern part of the lake is included in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge . Havasu Springs Resort, a BLM concession, operates on the south edge of Lake Havasu. Black Meadow Landing, another BLM concession, operates on the wast bank of
660-589: The final appreciation dinner for retiring United States Senator Barry Goldwater , the 1964 Republican Party presidential nominee, at the Nautical Inn Convention Center on October 21, 1986. The Day of the Wolves is a 1971 heist film starring Richard Egan . It was directed, written and produced by Ferde Grofe Jr. It was the first movie to be made on location in the new town of Lake Havasu City. The London Bridge's relocation to Arizona
693-834: The large party organizers. For boaters, March to September are the prime months on Lake Havasu. The city is also home to the International World Jet Ski Final Races, multiple professional fishing tournaments, custom boat regattas, the Western Winter Blast pyrotechnics convention, Havasu 95 Speedway, the Chilln-n-Swilln Beer Festival annual charity event, the Havasu Triathlon, and the Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair. During
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#1732779506535726-549: The lower Sonoran Desert and its Californian Colorado Desert ecoregions . The Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is located at the upper end and upriver. Lake Havasu State Park is along the eastern shore in Arizona. The Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge extends southeastward up the riparian zone of the Bill Williams River canyon from the southeastern end of the reservoir and dam. Lake Havasu
759-422: The marked stones were shipped to Lake Havasu City and reassembled by Sundt for another US$ 7 million. The construction took three years to complete. McCulloch gave an acre of land in Lake Havasu City to London. When Lake Havasu City wanted to use this land for a visitors' center, London leased it back for a quit rent of a Hopi Kachina figure . Since its inauguration on October 5, 1971, London Bridge has become
792-495: The second-largest tourist attraction in Arizona, after the Grand Canyon . Lake Havasu City is an active event destination for a wide range of people. During spring months, the community is joined by university students for spring break . In 1995, Lake Havasu City was featured during MTV 's Spring Break coverage. Attendance during Spring Break has taken a downturn in recent years, as the city has declined to issue permits to
825-516: The southern end of Lake Havasu near Parker Dam. Sturgeon have been known to grow upwards of 20 feet (6.1 meters) and can live in excess of 100 years and many in and around Lake Havasu continue in their efforts to catch a glimpse of the majestic animal. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed a safe eating advisory for Lake Havasu based on levels of mercury found in fish caught from this water body. The Bureau of Land Management operates 73 campsites on
858-422: The winter months, the community is joined by retirees from colder regions of the country and Canada. During this period, multiple events are held on McCulloch Boulevard. Typically during the second weekend of February, McCulloch Boulevard is home to Winterfest, an annual event which draws thousands of visitors and residents for two days of food, activities, entertainment, and products from over 200 vendors from across
891-447: The worst heat waves. Overnight low temperatures generally stay between 80 °F to 90 °F (27–32 °C) for the months of July and August, but the highest overnight low temperature (record high minimum) ever recorded was 98 °F (37 °C) on July 22, 2003. The winters, on the other hand, are very pleasant, with typical daily highs in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit (16–26 °C), and infrequent night frosts. Mean annual rainfall
924-406: Was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 36,499, and the median income for a family was $ 41,393. Males had a median income of $ 31,594 versus $ 21,576 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 20,403. About 6.6% of families and 9.5% of the population were below
957-410: Was filmed in Lake Havasu in 1998. Actor Curtis Armstrong and Lisa Arturo were the leads, with a cameo by porn star Ron Jeremy . Piranha 3D was filmed in Lake Havasu in 2009. The city was called Lake Victoria in the film. It was directed by Alexandre Aja and starred Adam Scott , Elisabeth Shue , Kelly Brook , Richard Dreyfuss , Jerry O'Connell , Ving Rhames and Christopher Lloyd . The film
990-764: Was hired by Robert McCulloch to lay out Lake Havasu's unique road system. In the early stages of development of the city, McCulloch Properties operated a fleet of secondhand airliners such as the Lockheed Constellation and the Lockheed L-188 Electra to fly prospective property purchasers to the area from California and elsewhere in the United States. The city operates Lake Havasu City Transit. Vegas Airporter provides service from Lake Havasu City to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Havasu Landing Resort and Casino provides
1023-504: Was incorporated in 1978. London Bridge crosses the narrow Bridgewater Channel that leads from Lake Havasu (a segment of the Colorado River ) to Thompson Bay (also on the river). Hoping to attract tourists and prospective buyers of residential lots, McCulloch bought it for US$ 2.5 million from the City of London , England , when the bridge was replaced in 1968. The bridge was disassembled on contract with Sundt Construction of Tucson , and
Lake Havasu Unified School District - Misplaced Pages Continue
1056-494: Was recorded in Havasu City. Lake Havasu City is a very hot city, even by Arizona standards; here, the highest temperature ever recorded in the state, 128 °F (53 °C), was set on June 29, 1994. Temperatures may exceed 100 °F (38 °C) as early as April or as late as October, and in the summer months, it routinely reaches 110 °F (43 °C), and can even get up to 120 °F (49 °C) or higher during
1089-769: Was the basis of a 1985 made-for-TV movie Bridge Across Time (also known as Arizona Ripper or Terror at London Bridge ), directed by E.W. Swackhamer and starring David Hasselhoff and Stepfanie Kramer . In the film, a series of murders in Lake Havasu is attributed to the spirit of Jack the Ripper , whose soul is transported to America in one of the bricks of the London Bridge. The director Andy Sidaris has directed three soft-core adult films in Lake Havasu: 1989's Savage Beach , 1990's Guns , and 1992's Hard Hunted . MTV featured Lake Havasu during its Spring Break coverage in 1995. The comedy-adventure Border to Border
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