Lake Powell History
Lake Powell was created in 1963 when the Glen Canyon Dam held
back the waters of the Colorado River, forming a vast blue lake
surrounded by beautiful sandstone walls. Remarkably, it took
17 years for the lake to fill the canyon to the high water mark
(3700' above sea level), giving America its second largest man-made
lake - and a playground like no place else on earth. Here are some
highlights of our lake's history:
| May 24, 1869: Major John Wesley
Powell, an intrepid one-armed civil war veteran, left Green River,
Wyoming, leading an expedition down the Green and Colorado Rivers.
The expedition ended on August 29, 1869, near Grand Wash Cliffs.
His expedition of the Colorado River filled in the last blank spot
on the map of the United States. |
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In 1881: John D.
Lee established ferryboat service across the Colorado River where
Lees Ferry is today, providing the first accessible canyon
crossing. |
| August 14, 1909: Rainbow Bridge,
the world's largest natural stone bridge, was "discovered" by the
Douglas-Cummings expedition. Many Native American Tribes already
knew of the bridge's existence and had passed stories down about
its creation for centuries. On May 30, 1910, Rainbow Bridge was
designated as a National Monument by President William H. Taft. At
278' wide and standing 290' above the streambed, Rainbow Bridge
remains a favorite Lake Powell destination today. |
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October 20, 1956
: Construction started on Glen
Canyon Dam, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower pressed a button
from the White House, detonating the first powder charge.
March 13, 1963: The two diversion tunnels at
Glen Canyon Dam are closed to allow Lake Powell to begin
filling. Lake Powell is named after Major John Wesley Powell,
who charted most of the area during two expeditions in
1869-1872.
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1965: The first buildings at
Wahweap Lodge, operated by Canyon Tours Inc. are completed,
including the lobby, a small dining room and 44 guest rooms. |
In 1966: The final two
generating units at the Glen Canyon Dam began providing power.
October 27, 1972: Glen Canyon National
Recreational Area was established.
June 20, 1980: Lake Powell reached 'full pool'
- 3700' above sea level for the first time. Since then, it's become
the ultimate destination for houseboating vacations.