By Mike Donahue
Moapa Valley Progress
The first major thunderstorm to hit Southern Nevada in months last week was responsible for more than $1 million in damages at Callville Bay Marina, according to a National Park Service spokesman.
The heavy downpour which occurred on Monday, October 4, also forced the closures of entrance roads around Valley of Fire State Park and the Echo Bay boat launch ramp but they were back open within days. Moapa Valley was pretty much spared any significant, long lasting damage.
Rain gauges showed more than 1.38 inches of rain fell in areas around Moapa Valley and Lake Mead, according to Jerome Jacques, a meteorologist with the weather service a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Overton Power District weather station measured 1.13 inches in Overton for the day of Monday, October 4.
While it was the first major storm to hit this area in some time, the worst damage from the storm was caused by a massive flash flood at Callville Bay where a “tsunami-like” wall of water bashed through the marina. Several boats and other watercraft were damaged in flood but there were no injuries reported.
Callville Bay launch area was shortened significantly by the mud and rocks washed down in the storm and Forever Resorts management is planning to relocate the marina farther out into the lake.
A temporary emergency closure order remained in effect over the weekend, although electrical power was restored and the campground was reopened, according to Anthony Munoz, spokesperson for the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Other rain totals include .91 inches at Logan Wash near Logandale; 1.06 inches on Mormon Mesa near Overton, and ¾ of an inch at the airport.
