Laguna Mountains (Arizona)
Encyclopedia
The Laguna Mountains (Arizona) are a small, approximately circular mountain range of extreme southwest Arizona
at the northeast of Yuma
and east of Winterhaven, California
on the Colorado River
. The Colorado forms the western perimeter of the mountains; Mittry Lake
, on the Colorado is on its northwest.
The Gila River
is on the southeast perimeter and south, then has its confluence with the Colorado River.
Only the north and northeast of the range is not bordered by a river basin; the north contains a small drainage west to the Colorado and Mittry Lake, and borders the south of the Yuma Proving Grounds. The northeast is bordered by the south-flowing Castle Dome Wash, arising from the Castle Dome Mountains
, with Castle Dome
on the northwest of Castle Dome Plain, an eastern extension of the Yuma Proving Grounds.
, a Gila River
valley, slightly east of the Laguna's and starting at the northern end of the Gila Mountains (Yuma County), and the valley containing northeast Yuma, and the agriculture
fields that are north and northeast of the Yuma Mesa. A separate Yuma Valley is found west and southwest of Yuma, bordered on the north, west, and southwest by the Colorado River. The due north-trending section of U.S. Route 95 in Arizona begins at the southeast of the mountain range; the road exits the northeast of the Gila Valley to begin its northern stretch towards Quartzsite, Arizona
, about 90 mi.
The high point of the range is Boot Peak, at 1080 feet (329 m). The range is mineralized with historical mining claims, some still operating.
and just northwest of the northern end of the Gila Mountains (Yuma County)
.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
at the northeast of Yuma
Yuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
and east of Winterhaven, California
Winterhaven, California
Winterhaven is a census-designated place in Imperial County, California. Winterhaven is located east of Pilot Knob, The population was 394 at the 2010 census, down from 529 at the 2000 census. It is part of the 'El Centro, California Metropolitan Statistical Area'...
on the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
. The Colorado forms the western perimeter of the mountains; Mittry Lake
Mittry Lake
Mittry Lake is located in the southwest corner of Arizona, just north of Yuma on the Lower Colorado River. It is located in between the upstream Imperial Dam and the downstream Laguna Dam. Mittry Lake comprises about , with much of the shoreline covered with cattails and bullrush...
, on the Colorado is on its northwest.
The Gila River
Gila River
The Gila River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 650 miles long, in the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona.-Description:...
is on the southeast perimeter and south, then has its confluence with the Colorado River.
Only the north and northeast of the range is not bordered by a river basin; the north contains a small drainage west to the Colorado and Mittry Lake, and borders the south of the Yuma Proving Grounds. The northeast is bordered by the south-flowing Castle Dome Wash, arising from the Castle Dome Mountains
Castle Dome Mountains
The Castle Dome Mountains are a mountain range in Yuma County, Arizona, within the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Castle Dome peak, the high point of the range, is a prominent and distinctive landmark. The peak is high, and is located at . Castle Dome was named by American soldiers at old Fort...
, with Castle Dome
Castle Dome (butte)
Castle Dome, or Castle Dome Peak is a prominent butte of the Castle Dome Mountains northeast of Yuma, Arizona–Winterhaven, California, in the northwestern Sonoran Desert....
on the northwest of Castle Dome Plain, an eastern extension of the Yuma Proving Grounds.
Laguna Mountains description
The range is a small range, circular, of about 7 miles (11 km). It is on the northeast of the Gila ValleyGila Valley (Yuma County)
The Gila Valley of Yuma County, Arizona is a small valley surrounding the Gila River at its confluence with the Colorado River, the Colorado being the border between California and Arizona, and locally southwest of Yuma – Baja California, and Sonora states, Mexico.The valley extends only ...
, a Gila River
Gila River
The Gila River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 650 miles long, in the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona.-Description:...
valley, slightly east of the Laguna's and starting at the northern end of the Gila Mountains (Yuma County), and the valley containing northeast Yuma, and the agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
fields that are north and northeast of the Yuma Mesa. A separate Yuma Valley is found west and southwest of Yuma, bordered on the north, west, and southwest by the Colorado River. The due north-trending section of U.S. Route 95 in Arizona begins at the southeast of the mountain range; the road exits the northeast of the Gila Valley to begin its northern stretch towards Quartzsite, Arizona
Quartzsite, Arizona
Quartzsite is a town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. According to Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town was 3,397 in 2006.Interstate 10 runs directly through Quartzsite. It is at the intersection of U.S...
, about 90 mi.
The high point of the range is Boot Peak, at 1080 feet (329 m). The range is mineralized with historical mining claims, some still operating.
Recreational use
The range is noted for a shooting range on its south perimeter, named Adair Park. It is located in the North Gila ValleyGila Valley (Yuma County)
The Gila Valley of Yuma County, Arizona is a small valley surrounding the Gila River at its confluence with the Colorado River, the Colorado being the border between California and Arizona, and locally southwest of Yuma – Baja California, and Sonora states, Mexico.The valley extends only ...
and just northwest of the northern end of the Gila Mountains (Yuma County)
Gila Mountains (Yuma County)
The Gila Mountains is a mountain range in southwestern Arizona in the northwestern Sonoran Desert.The Gila Mountains of Yuma County are a northwest-southeast trending mountain system, about 26 miles long; the fault-blocked mountain range is attached on the south to the Tinajas Altas Mountains...
.