The flood stage refers to Lake Mead at its 'fullest'. This is a relative definition because we are interested in the erosion process and we are going strictly by the water lines. These photos were taken at the maximum height of the water line. During drought times, the water line can be seen as the white 'bath tub' ring around Lake Mead.

These photos were taken on January 16 2000. The weather was extremely overcast but it was the type of weather where the Overton Arm is very calm. Normally one should not cross Lake Mead on a day like this.

Experience has taught us that the atmospheric fluctuations are actually minor on day like this. Besides we had survived another encounter with fate on the Colorado the previous spring and this looked easy in comparison.

These photos show that not only was Lake Mead at a high water level, it was at a level much higher than 'normal. By normal we refer to the water level that most of the shore line plants defined by their presence. All of the plants which were on the 'previous' or normal shore were flooded.

The dark, cloudy weather made it very difficult to get a decent exposure. The problem was exacerbated because because we were on a moving boat and the water wasn't that smooth. The only thing that was possible under those conditions was to keep the camera level. We digitally shapened and brightened all of these photos. Those were the only changes made and they were made to reveal detail hidden by shadows. 

At the time these photos were taken it was not known that they were of the Lost City area. After looking at the landmarks and seeing the area without water in it, we know that these are photos of the Italian peninsula shaped promontory and its neighboring promentory that is shone on Plate 25 of Shutler's Lost City monograph.

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