Today I will tell you about a small unplanned adventure, thanks to which I saw with my own eyes the most beautiful Lake Powell. This is an artificially created reservoir, which is the second largest in the United States after. Moreover, there is much in common between them - both lie on the Colorado River, and both were formed due to the impressive appearance of dams.
Lake Powell is located on the territory of Glen Canyon National Park, on the border of two states - Utah and. It was born after the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in the mid-20th century, and was named after Colorado River explorer John Wesley Powell. I later met this surname in the name of one of the observation platforms -. America does not forget its explorers 🙂
I will tell you a secret - this article would not have happened if it were not for our mistake. A visit to Glen Canyon, like the lake itself, was not part of our plans. But it so happened that we did not book a hotel in the city of Page in advance, where we were going to spend the night, and there were no free places by our arrival. After a two-hour search on the Internet, we finally found one hotel 15 minutes from Page, which was located in the territory of the canyon, at its northern entrance. We settled at night, in total darkness. And in the morning I woke up and saw this beauty.
Wow! I can't believe my eyes ... I experienced real pleasure, looking at the quiet, as if frozen waters of Lake Powell, surrounded by the landscapes of Glen Canyon. More such morning surprises!
Some rocks from afar resembled the glaciers of Antarctica. Maybe I just have a wild imagination 🙂
Note the large number of boats. On this one, you can ride along the lake along the canyon - as part of a tour, or on your own, on your own or rented boat. One of the most popular destinations is the famous Rainbow Bridge- this is the name of one of the rocks, which bent so that it looked like a small bridge. Unfortunately, you can’t get to it on foot, only by swimming, and we didn’t have free time. Next time.
There is nothing more to add to such beauty. Yes, friends, despite the fact that I plan every trip in advance, thinking through all the places and routes, spontaneity also has its advantages. As you can see, very pleasant.
And here is herself Glen Canyon Dam from which Lake Powell originates. Its height is 187 meters.
I would rate this building as “it seems beautiful, but creepy.”
Here is the eponymous Bridge (Glen Canyon Bridge).
And behind the bridge, this is the view - desert rocks and a highway.
Unlike the Hoover Dam, which blocks Lake Mead, the Glen Canyon Dam can be viewed absolutely free of charge. True, you can only get to it by car, along highway 89. The Carl Hayden Visitor center, located nearby, will serve as a reference point.
Attractions near Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam:
- Page - 4 km
- - 8 kilometers
- – 12 km
- Vermilion Cliffs Park
Lake Powell is a man-made, artificial reservoir, which was built primarily to meet the economic needs of the population of the surrounding areas. It is located mostly in Utah. No one expected that the lake would turn out so beautiful, and the landscapes of its shores would be so unusual and breathtaking.
The dimensions of the lake are as follows: the length is almost 300 kilometers, and its greatest width is 40 kilometers. The lake covers an area of 658 sq. km. The depth in most places is about 40 meters, but there are areas where the bottom is as much as 170 meters! The volume of water varies depending on the season. The maximum amount of water was recorded at 30 cubic kilometers!
The history of the creation of the reservoir
Congress back in 1956 voted to create an artificial reservoir on the Colorado River. Ecological and environmental organizations criticized this decision of the authorities, because it could worsen the ecological situation in the region. Unfortunately, after the dam appeared and the water balance changed, some fish species disappeared. The territory had to be flooded very large, which negatively affected the development of natural communities located in this area.
The dam, called Glen Canyon Dem, was built by the mid-sixties. Its height reached 178 meters. In the 80s, the artificial lake was finally filled with the waters of Colorado completely. It was decided to name the new body of water in honor of the explorer of this area, Major, whose name was John Wesley Powell.
Scenic scenery of an artificial lake
Everyone who sees the lake in the photographs admires the rocky shores, which consist of amazing canyons of various heights, painted in the most incredible range of beautiful shades of red and brown. Water against the background of such colors seems bright blue, emerald, contrasts with the coastline. Here and there islands are visible, which in shape resemble various figures. Not far from Lake Powell is the famous Rainbow Bridge - a stone arch, which was erected by the forces of water.
The waters of the lake are clean, transparent and suitable for recreation. The lake is one of the favorite vacation spots for many Americans. In early 1972, the National Recreation Area was established here. Tourists are waiting for a walk on the water in boats for an hour and a half. Those who wish can rent a canoe. You can go rock climbing, fishing, water skiing.
The John Powell Museum is located next to the lake and contains a lot of interesting information about how the lake was built, what was here before it, how Glen Canyon was built. Tourists visiting an artificial lake in Utah admire the beauty of the harsh rocky shores, their unusual color and shape.
Lake Powell is currently part of the Glen Canyon Conservation Area. Its territory is simply huge - 1 million acres of land that have not yet been spoiled by civilization. It is hoped that future generations will also have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful views of the coastline, incredible canyons, crystal clear water that beckons and delights with its amazing color.
Lake Powell photo
This area attracts tourists year after year with amazingly clear deep waters, sandy beaches and picturesque landscapes of reddish rocks. On Lake Powell, you can see many extraordinary natural attractions, immerse yourself in exploration, or simply enjoy the opportunity to try a wide variety of sports and recreation. Lake Powell offers excellent conditions for boating, water skiing, fishing, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing and countless other activities.
Lake Powell is the second largest man-made lake in the Colorado River basin. It is second only to Lake Mead. The crystal blue waters of the reservoir create a contrast with the rocky reddish walls of the canyon. The Powell passes through much of the Utah-Arizona border, but the bulk of the reservoir, encompassing the naturally occurring Rainbow Bridge, lies within Utah.
The lake got its name in honor of the explorer John Wesley Powell, a veteran of the Civil War, who in 1869 explored these waters in three wooden boats. The Lake Powell National Recreation Area was established in 1972. Since then, the popularity of this place in the US has been growing day by day.
The resulting basin has significantly affected the environment and biological balance in this region, as well as the life of the Colorado River. The creation of lakes in this area has killed many plant species native to the nature of the canyon and disrupted the state of the aquatic system, which affected the normal development of fish in the waters, many of which are rare and valuable.
Serious problems have also been caused by the presence of boats serving tourists and visitors to the recreation area on Lake Powell. In addition, the disposal of toxic gases in water, which is the source of drinking water for many households in the Utah area, continues.
Lake Powell is larger than the entire west coast of the continental United States. The length of the reservoir reaches about 300 kilometers, and its widest part reaches the mark of 40 kilometers. The total area of Powell is 658 square kilometers, the average depth is about 40 meters, while its deepest sections are about 170 meters.
One of the biggest attractions in the Lake Powell area is the Rainbow Bridge. This National Natural Landmark is often referred to as the largest bridge of natural origin. The Rainbow Bridge is a formed mountain arch that reaches a height of about 280 meters and a width of about 3 meters. An unusual attraction is located just a two-hour walk from Lake Powell.
Among other entertainment and recreational opportunities, specially organized walks on the water should not be missed. The boat trip takes about half a day, and during this time you have an amazing opportunity to enjoy the most beautiful views of the coast. Canoes can also be rented to explore this area.
You should definitely visit the John Wesley Powell Museum, where you can learn all about Glen Canyon, life before Lake Powell, and how the area began to be explored.
