Lake Powell and the 'return' of Glen Canyon

[TrailScot]

This is a good article about the current water level issues at Lake Powell, and the potential for the 'return' of Glen Canyon, at some point in the future

The Lost Canyon Under Lake Powell

Drought is shrinking one of the country’s largest reservoirs, revealing a hidden Eden.

www.newyorker.com

 

[Janice]

This is a good article about the current water level issues at Lake Powell, and the potential for the 'return' of Glen Canyon, at some point in the future

The Lost Canyon Under Lake Powell

Drought is shrinking one of the country’s largest reservoirs, revealing a hidden Eden.

www.newyorker.com

Fascinating article! Just listened while driving along the PA turnpike. Thanks for providing this thought-provoking entertainment to pass the time on our long drive home!

 

[utahastro]

NPR just published an article on this very topic. Here's the link: https://www.npr.org/2022/01/07/1067...ght-climate-lake-powell-glen-canyon-reservoir

I must admit to being conflicted: on one hand, I would welcome the return of Glen Canyon and the opportunity to explore it on foot. But of course, I'm also worried about the human consequences associated with Lake Powell remaining so low and what that would mean for everyone who lives in the southwest.

 

[gnwatts]

Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles will do just fine without the water.

 

[ZLmtns]

River Rats might want to listen to the entire album from Utah based Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. You will get several Colorado River stories along with some easy bluegrass music. I have it on Spotify but it might be on other music services as well. I'll give you the story that is pertinent to this thread.

 

[Bob Wire]

Fascinating article! Just listened while driving along the PA turnpike. Thanks for providing this thought-provoking entertainment to pass the time on our long drive home!

She really ignored the political decision by the Sierra Club to let Glen Canyon dam happen in exchange for not putting in one at Echo park in Dinosaur. Tragic decision made in complete ignorance.

 

[Janice]

She really ignored the political decision by the Sierra Club to let Glen Canyon dam happen in exchange for not putting in one at Echo park in Dinosaur. Tragic decision made in complete ignorance.

I wasn't aware of this history and didn't even know about Echo Park. I just did a little research and found this article about actions that were taken to protect Echo Park because it was part of a national monument. I'm guessing that if Glen Canyon had already been part of a national monument/recreation area, it would have been protected, too. Such a complicated situation this is. I have to admit that every time I vacation in that area I wonder why we don't live there, but then I remember that increasing population is a huge problem for a region with insufficient water. We won't add to the problem!

 

[Janice]

River Rats might want to listen to the entire album from Utah based Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. You will get several Colorado River stories along with some easy bluegrass music. I have it on Spotify but it might be on other music services as well. I'll give you the story that is pertinent to this thread.

I just listened and found this interesting - thanks! At some point, I need to read The Monkey Wrench Gang!

 

[ZLmtns]

At some point, I need to read The Monkey Wrench Gang!

I'll suggest reading Desert Solitaire first. There is a chapter in it about floating Glen Canyon before the lake filled. Take The Monkey Wrench gang for what it is, a novel . Some say one of the characters is Abbey's alter ego.

 

[cookiedough]

I'll suggest reading Desert Solitaire first. There is a chapter in it about floating Glen Canyon before the lake filled. Take The Monkey Wrench gang for what it is, a novel . Some say one of the characters is Abbey's alter ego.

Emerald Mile has fair amount of history and an enjoyable read, Martin's Boat video produced by OARS was good as well.

 

[Janice]

Emerald Mile has fair amount of history and an enjoyable read, Martin's Boat video produced by OARS was good as well.

Hadn't heard of either of these. Just requested Emerald Mile from the library, just watched Martin's Boat. Loved it! Thanks for sharing the titles.

 

[John Morrow]

I wasn't aware of this history and didn't even know about Echo Park. I just did a little research and found this article about actions that were taken to protect Echo Park because it was part of a national monument. I'm guessing that if Glen Canyon had already been part of a national monument/recreation area, it would have been protected, too. Such a complicated situation this is. I have to admit that every time I vacation in that area I wonder why we don't live there, but then I remember that increasing population is a huge problem for a region with insufficient water. We won't add to the problem!

I can recommend "Encounters with the Archdruid" by John McPhee.

 

[ImNotDedYet]

I wasn't aware of this history and didn't even know about Echo Park. I just did a little research and found this article about actions that were taken to protect Echo Park because it was part of a national monument. I'm guessing that if Glen Canyon had already been part of a national monument/recreation area, it would have been protected, too. Such a complicated situation this is. I have to admit that every time I vacation in that area I wonder why we don't live there, but then I remember that increasing population is a huge problem for a region with insufficient water. We won't add to the problem!

Eliot Porter photographed the canyon in the hopes that it would stop the dam. David Brower, the head of the Sierra Club at the time wrote the foreword for the book of Porter's photographs (The Place That No One Knew) that eventually were published in 66. In it, Brower called it one of the biggest mistakes in that position.

Mark Klett has returned to the areas photographed by Porter to the best of his knowledge, and photographed the locations from above water. (Drowned River) It's an interesting book with beautiful photographs and written words by Rebecca Solnit. If you can find Porter's book to see what's underwater, you'll likely pay a hefty price at this point as it's out of print. But Porter is a hugely underrated photographer in my humble opinion.

 

[ZLmtns]

Given the very remote chance that a precision earthquake will take down Glen Canyon Dam and the even more remote chance that a G W Hayduke type saboteur will blow up the Damn Dam a group of sponsors have started a contest to reconnect the Colorado River above and below a dismantled dam.
The contest will accomplish next to nothing but it might be interesting to see what they come up with.

Dave Marston: How do we pop the cork on the Glen Canyon Dam? - US Expose

‘Rewilding’ the declining Colorado River at Lake Powell is no longer such a strange idea. (Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Glen Canyon Dam, on the Colorado River in northern AZ, on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. | Feb. 8, 2022, 3:00 p.m. Some environmental groups and water honchos have...

usexpose.com

Imagine a Great River, Flowing Free

26 years ago punching a hole in Glen Canyon Dam was called a "certifiably nutty idea." Yet today, with Lake Powel's water level plunging and hydro turbines close to useless, a reborn Glen Canyon deserves a look

www.adventure-journal.com

ReWildingColoradoRiver.org – Colorado River

rewildingcoloradoriver.org

 

[Janice]

Eliot Porter photographed the canyon in the hopes that it would stop the dam. David Brower, the head of the Sierra Club at the time wrote the foreword for the book of Porter's photographs (The Place That No One Knew) that eventually were published in 66. In it, Brower called it one of the biggest mistakes in that position.

Mark Klett has returned to the areas photographed by Porter to the best of his knowledge, and photographed the locations from above water. (Drowned River) It's an interesting book with beautiful photographs and written words by Rebecca Solnit. If you can find Porter's book to see what's underwater, you'll likely pay a hefty price at this point as it's out of print. But Porter is a hugely underrated photographer in my humble opinion.

Porter's book is free from the library - just requested a copy!

 

[Janice]

Porter's book is free from the library - just requested a copy!

Got the book and am thoroughly enjoying it. It would be fascinating to explore Glen Canyon now and compare views to the pre-1963 ones. The book is full of poetic descriptions by people who explored and clearly revered this canyon. At a time when humans are messing things up so much, it is helpful to take a break from the news and focus on natural wonders instead...

 

[John Morrow]

I just measured that there are more than 25 miles of San Juan River now free and above the current Lake level, crazy how much water that must be no longer stored.

San Juan River | EROS

eros.usgs.gov

 

[Bob]

Here ya go .......... Anyone interested in Cathedral in the Desert, looks like this year it will be out of water. This pic of someone rapping the last falls, is from 2021.

coming from overland has some raps..... I did it years ago, 80 ft free rap. This pic is some doing a 230 ft low angle rap at a different approach....... up from Powell? dont know.

 

[Janice]

So, I am fascinated by this. I still have from the library Porter & Brower's 1963 book, The Place No One Knew, and sure enough there's a photo that's almost the same angle as your top one @Bob. My photo of the book photo isn't great, but it's good enough to compare. I like seeing the plant life halfway down that might regrow.

 

[WasatchWill]

The idea to empty Powell continues to gain some steam.

12news.com KPNX: 'Life beyond Lake Powell': Experts weigh draining Arizona's iconic lake amid worsening megadrought.

'Life beyond Lake Powell': Experts weigh draining Arizona's iconic lake amid worsening megadrought

What if, instead of trying to keep Lake Powell filled, we just let it drain?

www.12news.com