The Colorado River Monster: Legends of What Lurks Below

Mysterious tales and folklore predating the territory tell us of legendary creatures living beneath the waters of the Colorado River. Some stories date back to the native Americans of the area, while other reports of strange beings in Colorado are far more recent.

From phantom ships to modern-day dinosaurs, here is a look at some of the alluring legends of the mighty Colorado River.

Why Do We Love Colorado River Legends?

The Colorado River winds into and through the Grand Valley, giving off a mysterious, almost legendary vibe. That feeling only grows when you consider all 1,450 miles of it.

It’s easy to imagine Native Americans and early explorers swapping incredible stories about strange creatures living in the water. The Bureau of Land Management says the Colorado River travels through several remote and natural landscapes before it reaches the Pacific.

Read More: Is Colorado Home to Real Monsters and Other Mythical Creatures?

The Phantom Riverboat: Ghostly Apparitions on the Water

• Legend: The ghost ship of the Colorado River is a story referencing a spectral riverboat that residents claimed to have seen in the 1800s-era town of Ehrenberg, Arizona. A ghostly crew is said to be visible under the moonlight.
• Origins: Some of the earliest tales say that music and laughter accompany the appearance of the ghost ship, and hint at a presence that still lingers today.
• Notable Accounts: Another ghost ship from the Colorado River includes the story of Bessie and Glen Hyde, who decided to honeymoon by navigating the river by boat through the Grand Canyon in 1928. They were never heard from again.

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Water Babies: Spirits of the River

As the Colorado River winds through the rugged canyons of the Rockies, Native Americans passed down stories of mysterious spirits that lived in the water. Sometimes seen as malevolent, these “water babies” used the sound of crying infants to lure people to their deaths.

Tribes like the Paiute and Ute shared tales of long-haired beings that could drag unsuspecting victims into the river.

Read More: Gates Of Hell: The Ghostly Secrets Of Colorado's Riverdale Road

River Dinos: Modern-Day Dinosaur Sightings

'River Dinos' are said to have roamed along the Colorado River, as well as the state's Four Corners region. They are described as looking like a three-foot-tall mini T Rex. A 2001 sighting is on record from Yellow Jacket, Colorado, that resembled a bird-dino hybrid. It's enough to keep you from dozing off while fishing.

The Augerino: The Water-Sabotaging Worm

A review of the 1941 folk tales from Middle Park, Colorado, uncovered tales of a giant, corkscrew-shaped, indestructible worm named the Augerino. The worm is said to live in the driest parts of Colorado, sabotaging all efforts to irrigate by boring holes in dams and ditches.

Alligator Sightings: Fact or Folklore?

We’ve got river spirits and rumored dinos—so why not a few gators, too? Colorado may not be alligator country, but believe it or not, gators have shown up in the Colorado River.

Back in 2010, a group of kids reported seeing one near Riverbend Park in Palisade. And in 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey removed an alligator from the river near Fruita.

The Enduring Mystique of the Colorado River

The people who have lived near the Colorado River are almost as diverse as the natural landscapes it passes through. The number of legendary creatures said to live in or along the river shows mankind's fascination with things unknown. What creatures, real or otherwise, have yet to be discovered in the most remote areas of the Colorado River?