Bridgewater Channel (Lake Havasu City), 10/21/2015

On our first day in Lake Havasu City, AZ, we made our way to the Visitor Center to learn more about the things to do here. We will be here for a month and, honestly, we picked this location because it was halfway between Zion National Park and Yuma, AZ (where we will spend two months this winter).

The folks here provided lots of great information that have helped us formulate a schedule of activities for our stay. There are also some interesting displays at the center about the city and the London Bridge.

Lake Havasu City was founded in 1964 when Robert P. McCulloch purchased about 3,400 acres here. In 1968 he purchased the London Bridge (yes, the real London Bridge) from the City of London for $2.5M. The bridge was sinking on one end and needed to be replaced. The bridge was disassembled; each stone was carefully numbered; shipped across the Atlantic through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles, and then overland to Lake Havasu, and reassembled over a channel of water between the town and The Island. 

The pock marks in the stones here occurred during WWII when the German aircraft strafed London. 

We took a stroll on the walkway along the Bridgewater Channel. Boats slowly traverse the channel and can tie up to cleats provided along the wall. Ducks and other water fowl can be seen along the way. We also saw lots of paddle boarders, some with their doggies on board for the ride! 

Sadie has come to enjoy the water so much and jumped in for a swim every time she had the opportunity.

At the northern entrance to the channel is picturesque Rotary Community Park. 

On the opposite side of the channel is the London Bridge Beach. A dog park is also located nearby. 

Lighthouses (24) have been built on The Island and lake that are replicas of actual lighthouses located in various parts of the United States. Most are built to 1/3 scale and are operational, navigational aids for night boating in the area. You can see many of them on boat tours that depart from the area near the London Bridge. 

This is a replica of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla, NC, and is located at the entrance to the Bridgewater Channel. 

This one (located on London Bridge Beach) is a replica of the Main Buffalo Lighthouse that is at the entrance of the Erie Canal in Buffalo, NY. It is on the opposite shore from the Currituck Beach Lighthouse at the southern entrance to the Bridgewater Channel.

Multiple shops, restaurants, and hotels are located along the channel. There are also vendors offering boat cruises, water sports rentals, and even rental of cabanas. 

Below is a view of the northern end of the Bridgewater Channel. Near this location is a ferry (free) that will provide transportation across the lake to the Lake Havasu Landing Casino. 

When we first arrived in Lake Havasu City, I was a little concerned about whether we we would enjoy our one-month stay. After seeing the beauty of the lake, I know we are going to have a blast here! Check out the website published by the Visitors and Convention Bureauu here for additional information on the many activities available to visitors here.

Website: www.golakehavasu.com