The Importance of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

Many people are familiar with the Colorado River. Also, this is not a blog if you have not heard of the Grand Canyon (unless you are really weird.) However, many people are not aware of the importance of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Since the early 1960's, the flow of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon has been controlled by the Glen Canyon Dam. The Glen Canyon Dam is providing energy through the Colorado River. This is a good thing, right? It is, but only when you think about the energy.

There is a dark secret (not really) about the Colorado River. Glen Canyon Dam provides a constant stream of energy, but the flow of the Colorado River is altered past that point. Another thing is that the dam blocks all of the sediment that would settle on the bottom of the river. This changes many things that happen in that area, mainly the ecosystem. There is a decline in the size and number of the sandbars, an increase in the abundance and diversity of vegetation along the banks, and a decrease in the numbers of native fish. The water level is also lowered.

Many rare flora and fauna have been destroyed because of the changes in the ecosystem. This is a big change. Also, one of the big lakes in the Grand Canyon has lowered by more then 100 feet! I could not find a picture, but if you went to the Grand Canyon 30 years ago, and returned this year, you would be amazed.

So, if you want to preserve the beauty and majesty of the Grand Canyon, everyone needs to work together to gradually restore the Grand Canyon to its original state.

(I used 53 capital letters in this post!)