Springing up along one of the few small rivers in arid Nevada is the oasis of Moapa Valley, which includes the towns of Logandale, Overton and Moapa. It is located along the Muddy River tributary of the Colorado River system in the northeastern portion of Clark County. Archeological finds indicate that the region was occupied by Indian civilizations from as early as 1000 B.C. Pueblo occupations of the area began around the time of Christ and spread throughout the Moapa Valley. They left around A.D. 1150 and sometime later the area was occupied by Paiute Indians.
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In 1864, the Mormons settled an agricultural community along the Muddy River at St. Thomas. Later towns that sprouted up were St. Joseph (Logandale) and Overton, Westpoint (Moapa) and Kaolin. In 1866, two years after Nevada achieved statehood, the U.S. Congress transferred a 60-mile strip of Utah and Arizona territory (including the Moapa Valley area) to Nevada which eventually led to the abandonment of the towns a few years later. The Mormons returned in the early 1880's to again start up their ranches and farms along the fertile river lands. Crops of melons, asparagus, radishes, onions, tomato plants and alfalfa flourished in the warm climate. Dairy and beef cattle farmers were prominent, but have dwindled since the 1970's.
Overton derived its name from "over town" - a reference to its location above the major town of St. Thomas. In 1938, with the completion of Hoover Dam, St. Thomas and Kaolin were covered by the water of Lake Mead, leaving the towns of Overton and Logandale. Today Logandale is a growing community that is primarily residential. Commercial uses in Logandale are concentrated along the highway at the Town Center. Moapa Valley hosts the annual Clark County Fair at the County fairgrounds in Logandale. The Clark County Fair is held each spring and features fun, entertainment, educational and wholesome family activities that exhibit the quality of life found in down home rural America. The annual Bluegrass Festival takes place in early October at the Fairgrounds.
The Overton area of Moapa Valley is the historic population and commercial center of the valley. Agricultural uses are located close to the river although farms are less prevalent than in the Logandale area. Overton has a park, and other recreational land uses, including Perkins Field Airport and the northern portion of the Lake Mead Recreational area. Boating, fishing, water-skiing, camping, and picnicking are year-round activities on the lake. Located at the Overton Arm of Lake Mead are two marinas, with a boat dock, lodge, bar, and trailer park. The Lost City Museum and an entrance to the Valley of Fire State Park are located south of Overton. The Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Valley of Fire State Park attract large numbers of visitors each year.
Moapa is located in the northwest section of Northeast Clark County, along the State Highway 168 and north of the Moapa Indian Reservation. A primary feature of this location is the Warm Springs area. Warm Springs contains the headwater of the Muddy River, which flow through Moapa and Moapa Valley on its way to Lake Mead. Development in Moapa is rural residential. Irrigation water is available along the river and some agricultural uses are established. Lots are almost exclusively 2 acres or larger, although several acre developments are in various planning stages. Abundant water from the Muddy River is used at Nevada Power Company's huge steam-generated Reid Gardner Power Plant. Employers in the area include Geneva Pipe Co. and Lasco Bathware.
Moapa Valley offers an array of public services including; Sheriff's substation, three volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance services, University of Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, four schools - 2 Elementary, Middle and High school, Clark County Community College satellite campus, two libraries, two medical facilities, Dental and Optometry offices and Cappalappa Family Resource Center.
