“The Glen”

Glen Canyon. “Where the creation of the Colorado River rivaled any in the world.  Where the side canyons simply had no rival…”

Glen Canyon is a geological wonderland in the heart of the Colorado Plateau. It’s history took a radical turn in 1963 when the floodgates of the newly completed Glen Canyon Dam snapped shut and began to impound the water of the Colorado River. Lake Powell, the nation’s second largest reservoir, was born.

Remarkable treasures, both anthropological and natural wonders, were inundated as the water backed up behind the Glen Canyon Dam.

Glen Canyon has been described as “America’s Lost National Park”.

Although antiquated, this film from 1965 by Phil Pennington & The Sierra Club, shows Glen Canyon in its finest form.

Lake Powell

“I’ve changed the environment, yes. But I’ve changed it for the benefit of man.” -Floyd Dominy

Today, Glen Canyon sits largely drown under the waters of the Lake Powell Reservoir.

Fragments of the natural wonders of a pre-reservoir Glen Canyon persist to this day and make Lake Powell a stunning destination for travel and leisure. With recreation abound, it’s easy to neglect to appreciate what was sacrificed for the reservoir, how it came to be the way it is, and the wonders that still lurk under the waters of Lake Powell. 

Deep riparian hallways, the likes of which are seen nowhere else on Earth as they once were before 1963, were guarded by massive towering sandstone walls. These tranquil Glens, for which the area bears its name, were lost under the waters of Lake Powell to be replaced by extravagant houseboats, fishermen, and jet skis

Don’t be fooled though, there are still slivers of magic from the days Old Glen Canyon hiding in the fringes.

Check out photo comparison shots of before and after the creation of Lake Powell.

“Many will enjoy it [the reservoir]….but few will know what was lost.” -Phil Pennington

See comparisons of the degree of siltation deposits in upper Glen Canyon

Explorers

With the inundation of Lake Powell imminent in the early 1960’s, explorers such as Phil & Keturah Pennington rushed to explore the true gems of Glen Canyon, it’s breath takingly unique side tributaries, before the waters of the Colorado engulfed them. Check out The Pennington Collection to “see it as it was”.

Photo Rematch

In the early 2020’s, regional drought led to the lowest water levels at Lake Powell anyone had seen since the reservoir initially filled in the 1960’s. Come take a look at comparator Photo Rematches done at that time!

Also, check out photo-rematches demonstrating silt deposition of upper Glen Canyon

New Explorers in Glen Canyon

More to come…