Lake Havasu Information

Lake Havasu City takes its name from the lake by which it lies. Formed by the impoundment of Parker Dam in 1938, Lake Havasu is fed by the Colorado River. The 45-mile-long lake has a maximum width of 3 miles and supplies water to Arizona, Los Angeles and intermediate cities. Paved roads cross the lake at Topock on the north end and Parker Dam at the south end.

Originally an Army Air Corps landing strip and rest camp, the land was purchased by industrialist Robert P. McCulloch Sr. in 1963 and turned into a planned recreational and retirement community.

The town captured the world's attention in 1968 when McCulloch bought the London Bridge. Originally built in 1831 by architect John Rennie, the multi-arch bridge resided over the Thames River until 1968, when it began to sink into the river. Dismantled stone by stone, the bridge was brought over from London and reconstructed over a man-made inlet on the Colorado River.

Lake Havasu provides a setting for all types of water sports. The London Bridge is a center for boat tours of Lake Havasu and Topock Gorge. Operators offering a variety of excursions dock their boats under the celebrated span. London Bridge Watercraft Tours and Rentals offers Colorado River adventures aboard personal watercraft as well as boat and jet ski rentals; phone (928) 453-8883. Narrated cruises aboard various types of watercraft are offered through Blue Water Charters, (928) 855-7171 or (888) 855-7171. Numerous companies rent canoes, houseboats, personal watercraft, outboards, pontoon boats and sailboats for use on the lake; consult a telephone directory for vendors.

Fishing is excellent, especially for striped and large-mouth bass, bluegill and crappie. Open stretches of water make Lake Havasu an ideal spot for national outboard, sailing, water skiing and personal watercraft championships.