Brower was instrumental in the Sierra Club’s decision to support decommissioning Glen Canyon Dam and restore the integrity of the Colorado River in Glen and Grand Canyons. First-time kayakers take this trip every day and enjoy it thoroughly. Offers flights over Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Rainbow Bridge. 4,901,000 cubic yards (3,750,000 cubic meters), 469,000 cubic yards (359,000 cubic meters), 26,215,000 acre-feet (32,336 million cubic meters). The CRSP was authorized on April 11, 1956 to regulate the flow of the Colorado River; provide for flood control; provide for storage and delivery of water for irrigation, municipal, industrial, and other beneficial purposes; and generate electrical power. I took the tour of the Glen Canyon Dam and was amazed at the history behind building the dam and the work involved. Built in a virtually inaccessible area, it is one of the major engineering and construction achievements in the United States. Wallets and cameras are welcome. Approximately 4.5 billion kilowatt-hours. Taylor Graham’s film “Seldom Seen Sleight” – winner of the Yale Environment 360 Video Contest – shows the magnificent landscape … Fifteen miles of the Colorado River runs through lower Glen Canyon between Glen Canyon Dam and Lee's Ferry. Ken Sleight remembers the stunning beauty of Glen Canyon before it was flooded by a massive dam in the 1960s. It's quite a feeling to be at the bottom of the dam knowing that it is the only thing holding back all that water! Glen Canyon Dam may release more water to cope with COVID electricity needs. Glen Canyon Dam emerged from bedrock incrementally, as a series of blocks seven and a half feet high and up to 60 feet wide and 210 feet long, reaching a full height of 710 feet. By 1966, all eight generators had been installed and were working at full capacity. Not all of Glen Canyon is submerged, however. Hydroelectric powerplants have low failure rates, low operating costs and are very reliable. Reclamation managed the community of Page during and after construction of the dam until the town was transferred to private ownership pursuant to the 1974 legislation authorizing incorporation. Our guide was fantastic and took the time to answer any questions. There's also the incredible Antelope Slot Canyons, only a short drive away. You will pass through a metal detector, and armed guards are in place throughout the facility. The construction of Glen Canyon Dam in 1964 created Lake Powell. This might be considered the effective life of the project. Enjoy a ride through a 2-mile long tunnel to the base of Glen Canyon Dam where you will walk to your river raft with sandstone walls soaring 700 feet above you. Can the electricity produced at Glen canyon Powerplant be stored for use at a later time? Departs Santa Fe NM. Prior to the dam’s construction, extensive geologic studies were completed and then reevaluated in 1985 to determine if, following construction and filling of the reservoir, conditions had changed. What are the benefits of using hydroelectric power? Hundreds of rock bolts were installed by high scalers to reinforce the canyon walls and prevent rock slabs from falling. On December 13, 2007, the Secretary signed new interim operational guidelines that established rules for shortages, surpluses, and coordination of operations between Lake Powell and Lake Mead, and encourage new initiatives for water conservation. Offers scenic flights over Canyonlands, Arches, and Monument Valley. In 1957, Reclamation constructed a government camp close to the dam site in northeastern Arizona to house construction workers and their families and to provide community services. The 26.2 million acre-feet of water storage capacity in Lake Powell, created by Glen Canyon Dam, serves as a ‘bank account’ of water that is drawn on in times of drought. Each year, the lake level increases between May and July from runoff followed by a decrease in lake level throughout the remainder of the year, leaving a visible ring along the shoreline. Offers helicopter/plane tours over Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, Rainbow Bridge. Lake Powell provides long-term carryover water storage that allows the Upper Basin states of Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah to use their share of the Colorado River while still providing the required delivery of water to the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada. Former Reclamation Commissioner, John W. Keys III said, "Previous administrations of both political parties, as well as the U.S. Congress, have said that Glen Canyon Dam is here to stay because it is serving millions of people in the Southwestern United States. Our Colorado river tours travel either 15 river miles when beginning at the base of the Glen Canyon Dam (motorized & kayak trips) or 10 miles (kayak trips) when put in at petroglyph beach. You may also want to go to the sacred, historic Rainbow Bridge National Monument. But since power demand varies greatly during the day and night, this job becomes quite complex. The seven-year period from 2000 to 2006 was the driest seven-year period in 100 years of record keeping. The designation of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in 1972, underscores the value and importance of the recreation benefits associated with Lake Powell and the Colorado River downstream of the dam. The debate over Glen Canyon Dam … Are there any federally-listed endangered species living in the Grand Canyon below Glen Canyon Dam? Glen Canyon Dam created Lake Powell, one of Utah's most popular beach and boating destinations. In 1963, the floodgates closed on the newly constructed Glen Canyon Dam near the Arizona-Utah border, locking the waters of the Colorado River behind its … Page, Arizona 86040 An operating plan is prepared each year to guide the operations of the Colorado River reservoirs. However, what we were able to do and enjoy was first rate. Lake Powell began filling on March 13, 1963 and completed filling on June 22, 1980 reaching elevation 3,700 feet above sea level with a total capacity of over 26 million acre-feet of water. The following companies offer air tours over Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Glenn Canyon Dam. This dam is only 16 feet lower than Hoover Dam who h gets all the attention. Possibilities for another generation of people to explore and enjoy the history, scenery, geology, and archeology of Glen Canyon and the dozens of side canyons in their natural state disappeared. Because of the many significant benefits provided by Lake Powell, Congress continues to include a direct prohibition concerning any planning actions or expenditure of public funds related to consideration or actions toward draining Lake Powell. As Lake Powell fulfills its intended purposes, it’s natural for the elevation of the lake to fluctuate depending on the amount of spring runoff from the mountains, deliveries to the Lower Basin, and the amount of water carried over from the previous year. On September 22, 1966, the nation’s First Lady, Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson, dedicated Glen Canyon Dam and Powerplant. Which is larger, Lake Powell or Lake Mead? Lees Ferry is an imaginary line where the Glen Canyon National park ends and Grand Canyon begins. Page became an incorporated town on March 1, 1975. In addition to its significant recreation value, Lake Powell functions as a vast ‘bank account’ of water that can be drawn on during dry years. 435-684-3062 Departs Page AZ, Flagstaff AZ, Sedona AZ, Grand Canyon AZ, Phoenix AZ. Managed by the National Park service, the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is visited by over 3 million people each year. Consequently, a utility company must have the capacity to provide power instantly to meet public needs. Glen Canyon Dam is the key storage unit in a far-reaching water development plan called the Colorado River Storage Project. Lake Powell provides vital long-term carry-over storage that is critical to the Upper Colorado River Basin states, especially in times of drought. Prior to reaching completion, Glen Canyon Dam began impounding water in March 1963 when the diversion tunnels were closed and Lake Powell was born. Lone Rock Beach is located a few miles from Glen Canyon Dam, on Highway 89 in Utah, and is open for swimming and camping. www.lakepowell.com • 800-528-6154 www.riveradventures.com Departs Page AZ. Named after Major John Wesley Powell who successfully navigated the first expedition down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1869, Lake Powell offers visitors spectacular scenery and numerous recreational opportunities. In order to construct the dam, the Colorado River had to be channeled around the site. How much coal would it take to produce that same amount of power? The dam is a federally owned facility; therefore, security measures are in place. Because of the complexities of the Colorado River ecosystem in Glen and Grand Canyons and the impact of Glen Canyon Dam on the ecosystem, years of scientific research and development of a comprehensive environmental impact statement attempted to identify alternative operational strategies for the dam that would improve the downstream environment. The drought prompted the Secretary to request the seven Colorado River Basin states and Reclamation to establish guidelines and coordinated management strategies for the operation of Lake Powell and Lake Mead under low reservoir conditions. In addition, the use of hydropower reduces our dependence on other more environmentally polluting energy sources. Your friendly guide will help you aboard our roomy 32-foot raft. This vital storage reservoir functions like a bank account of water to be drawn upon in times of drought. The dam also generates hydroelectric power. Warning (Rob Schumacher | The Arizona Republic / Associated Press file photo) The Glen Canyon Dam, near Page, Ariz. On Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, a man died in a fall at the Glen Canyon Dam … All water that leaks into the dam is routed through measurement weirs, then diverted to troughs at the base of the dam and is discharged to the river below. Food and beverages are prohibited, but feel free to bring in a water bottle. Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas Reclamation also constructed a switchyard at the dam, two 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines to Phoenix, Arizona and a 230 kV line to Farmington, New Mexico. The high scalers were suspended from long cables attached to windlasses on the rims of the canyon walls and drilled holes from 45 to 75 feet (14 to 23 meters) into the Navajo sandstone, inserted the bolts with expansion anchors, then forced concrete grout around them to secure them within the walls. As drought conditions persist in the Southwest, the water storage in Lake Powell is especially critical. Dams are designed to handle seepage; no dam or foundation for a dam is absolutely impervious to seeping water. Since hydroelectric generators can be started and stopped almost instantly, hydropower is more responsive than other energy sources in meeting changing power needs. The hydropower plant provides system reliability for the overall regional power grid and is the primary unit to assist in a "black start" of the power system following a blackout failure. Glen Canyon Dam currently maintains 30 mw (approximately 800 cfs) of generation capacity in reserve in order to respond to a system emergency even when generation rates are already high. Both are located in north-central Arizona near the Utah border. When the dam was complete and Lake Powell began to fill upstream, other possibilities were lost. Lake Powell is about 186 miles long and attracts almost 3.5 million visitors a year. Soaring 710 feet and anchored in Navajo sandstone, the dam was conceived in desert thirst, born into controversy, and swaddled in argument. What percent of the nation's food is grown with Colorado River water? Offers scenic flights/land tours over Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge. Federal endangered species living in the Grand Canyon below the dam include the humpback chub, razorback sucker, southwestern willow flycatcher and the Kanab ambersnail. Highway 89 North www.antelopepointlakepowell.com • 928-645-5900 Glen Canyon Dam Release Data. Grand Canyon Airlines • 866-235-9422 Hoover Dam, which stands 726 feet (221 meters) tall, is 16 feet (4.9 meters) taller than Glen Canyon Dam which stands 710 feet (216 meters) tall. Offers scenic flights over Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and Rainbow Bridge. They are not authorized to land inside park boundaries or fly under Rainbow Bridge National Monument. When the dam was completed and Lake Powell was formed in 1963, the irregular flows of the Colorado River were brought under control. The material excavated from the tunnels was used to make the coffer dam. The Carl Hayden Visitor center is located at the dam, and tours of the dam are available. During the unusual hydrologic circumstances of 1983, Glen Canyon Dam was never in danger of failing. Can shuttle rafters from Hite to multiple locations. This community called Page in honor of Reclamation Commissioner John C. Page. Lake Mead, formed by Hoover Dam is the largest. Glen Canyon Dam is the key water storage unit of the Colorado River Storage Project, one of the most complex and extensive river resource developments in the world. Was anyone buried in the concrete during construction of Glen Canyon Dam? Departs Moab UT. Lake Powell acts as a holding tank for outflow from the Colorado River Upper Basin States: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Lake Powell helps sustain continued economic development in the rapidly growing Southwest by providing water for municipal and industrial use, agriculture, recreation, generation of electricity, and environmental needs. Offers air/land tours for Antelope Canyon, Tower Butte. Due to the vast capacity of the reservoir, it took 17 years for Lake Powell to completely fill for the first time. Maverick Helicopters • 888-261-4414 Glen Canyon Dam is the principal water storage unit of the Colorado River Storage Project. Because there were no rail facilities near the construction site, a bridge was built to allow trucks to deliver material and equipment across the canyon. Glen Canyon is a touchstone for western river runners. How many kilowatt-hours of power does Glen Canyon Dam's powerplant produce annually? Glen Canyon Dam impounds Lake Powell, the second largest reservoir in the country. When you get tired of sightseeing, take a hike through wilderness, canyons and secret passageways. Seven complete studies were done in 1982, 1984, 1989, 1995, 1999, 2001, and 2004 under Reclamation’s Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams Program. However, it is currently estimated that the lake will fill with silt in 700 to 1,000 years. About 13.4 million acre-feet (16,500 million cubic meters), or almost one third of the reservoir’s capacity. You will pass through a metal detector, and armed guards are in place throughout the facility. The Record of Decision for the Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement, signed in 1996, specified operating parameters for Glen Canyon Dam and mandated adaptive management of the resources in Grand Canyon. "It was huge," recalled Page Mayor Bill Diak, then a … Like the Grand Canyon to the south, Glen Canyon is part of the immense system of canyons carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. One drawback to electricity is that it cannot be stored for future use. When Reclamation engineers and geologists began looking for a suitable location to build Glen Canyon Dam, several criteria had to be met: the area forming the basin could contain an immense amount of water, the canyon walls and bedrock foundation were strong and stable enough to safely support the high dam, and the dam must be economically feasible to construct. Seepage is not only tolerable, but normal. About 2,600 gallons per minute (9,841 liters per minute) seep into the dam, which is not a large amount of water for a structure this size. Glen Canyon proved to be the perfect location, although because it was such a remote site, it presented some unique construction challenges. Westwind Aviation • 888-869-0866 Multiple boat tour and charter options departing from Antelope Point Marina. Tours of Glen Canyon Dam. It provides a framework for a collaborative, iterative process of experimentation, evaluation, and modification necessary to achieve improved results over time. Glen Canyon Dam is the second highest concrete-arch dam in the United States, second only to Hoover Dam which stands at 726 feet. With a kayak, you can explore this remnant! ☏ Tour Desk: (928) 608-6072, Historic photo of first aerial tram bucket during construction of Glen Canyon Dam, Photo of Lake Powell at total capacity in 1980, Hydropower Generators at Glen Canyon Dam Powerplant, Glen Canyon Dam at Night During High Flow Release, Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program, Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program, New Mexico Pueblos Irrigation Infrastructure Improvement Project, Water Conservation Field Services Program, Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental & Management Plan, Glen Canyon Dam High Flow Experimental Releases, National Park Service – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, National Park Service – Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is publishing this notice to announce that a Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) will take place. The main purpose of the gantry crane is to periodically withdraw the penstock fixed-wheel gates from beneath Lake Powell’s surface and place them on the dam crest where they can be inspected. Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1964, taming the waters of the Colorado River and creating massive Lake Powell, a popular recreation area along the Utah/Arizona border. During construction of Glen Canyon Dam, 18 workers died in various kinds of accidents. The holes in the wall are adits or “windows” that were initially blasted out for the purpose of allowing excavated rock to be dumped to the river banks below. Reclamation is committed to operating Glen Canyon Dam in accordance with the Law of the River and all applicable environmental laws. Once completed, Glen Canyon Dam would provide vital water storage that would allow the Upper Colorado River Basin states of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico to utilize their share of the Colorado River, especially during times of drought, while providing the required delivery of water to the Lower Basin states of California, Nevada, and Arizona. What is the large crane on top of the dam used for? Guided tours of Glen Canyon Dam and Powerplant are provided by the Glen Canyon Conservancy, and begin at the visitor center. Offers air/land tours over Grand Canyon and Four Corners region. Which is taller, Glen Canyon Dam or Hoover Dam and which is larger, Lake Powell or Lake Mead? Installation of the powerplant equipment began after the dam was completed and the first hydroelectric power was generated on September 4th, 1964. This is 44.15% of the December 15th average of 1,409,116 acre feet. Glen Canyon Dam, like all Reclamation dams, was constructed to the highest standards in the industry and has undergone continuous, exhaustive inspection and analyses. Subsequent redesign and reconstruction of the spillways incorporated new state-of-the-art technology in which “air slots” were built into the tunnels to eliminate the potential for cavitation. Subsequently, the bridge was transferred to the state of Arizona. The water that flows into Lake Powell originates as snowpack high in the mountains of Colorado. A film produced by The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on the failure of the Glen Canyon Dam spillway in 1983. Wilderness River Adventures The concrete was transported in 24-ton capacity buckets via an aerial tramway strung across the canyon from a concrete mixing plant constructed nearby. Visit their website for more information about tour options. The first dynamite blast in Glen Canyon occurred on October 15, 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower pressed a telegraph key from Washington D.C. to set off the explosion signaling the beginning of construction. Bags and purses are prohibited on the tour. Just last month, the level of the water at Lake Powell reached an all-time low . Glen Canyon Dam . Le barrage de Glen Canyon est situé sur le Colorado dans l'Arizona, au sud-ouest des États-Unis, près de la ville de Page dans le comté de Coconino. Water stored in Lake Powell provides municipal, industrial, agricultural benefits as well as recreation opportunities and hydropower production. This algae forms the basis of a highly productive food chain and is an important source of nutrients for many species living below the dam. The dam itself could be in place indefinitely. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts three times (in 1978, 1979 and … With a total capacity of 1,320 megawatts, Glen Canyon Powerplant produces around five billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power annually which is distributed by the Western Area Power Administration to Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Nebraska. Visitors are enjoying a half-day rafting trip that starts at the base of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. The flow of the Colorado River is controlled by the Glen Canyon Dam, therefore, the current occurring in the 15-mile stretch between the base of the dam (where you get backhauled to) and Lees Ferry is very gentle. (928) 608-6200 It would take 2.5 million tons of coal or 11 million barrels of oil each year to generate the same amount of power (based upon an approximate conversion rate of 580 kilowatt-hours per barrel of oil and 1,822 kilowatt-hours per ton of coal). Which is taller, Glen Canyon Dam or Hoover Dam? Kayak Horseshoe Bend Kayak Horseshoe Bend is a kayak, canoe, paddleboard and inflatable watercraft backhaul service. Will Glen Canyon Dam be de-commissioned and Lake Powell be drained? High quality Glen Canyon Dam gifts and merchandise. When full, Lake Mead, which holds 28,537,000 acre-feet (35,200 million cubic meters) of water, is larger than Lake Powell which holds 26,215,000 acre-feet (32,336 million cubic meters) of water when full. Custom rides available. The enormous quantity of concrete used in the dam could not be placed all at one time. Water rushing from first two jet tubes opened for high-flow experiment at Glen Canyon Dam - March 5, 2008, View from top of dam of all four jet tubes open releasing water for high-flow experiment - March 5, 2008, Glen Canyon Dam and all four jet tubes open releasing water for high-flow experiment - March 5, 2008, Night view of Glen Canyon Dam and all four jet tubes open releasing water during high-flow experiment - March 5, 2008, Aerial view of Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, Powerplant and transformer deck, Glen Canyon Dam with all four jet tubes open during March 2006 high-flow experiment, Glen Canyon Dam penstock intakes - July 2004, Glen Canyon Dam penstock intakes - July 2008, Transmission towers on the canyon wall - Glen Canyon Dam, Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam, View of Carl Hayden Visitor Center from base of Glen Canyon Dam, View of Glen Canyon Dam from downstream viewpoint, Glen Canyon Dam construction cableways - 1963, Commemoration of 50 percent completion of oncrete haul for dam construction, Glen Canyon Dam and bridge construction - 1963, Aerial view of Glen Canyon Dam during construction - 1963, Aerial of the dam site and work on the keyway - 1960, Glen Canyon Dam spillway construction - 1962, First Lady, Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson dedicates the dam -1966, Glen Canyon dam construction and penstock installation - February 1961, Glen Canyon Bridge dedication ceremony - 1959, Glen Canyon switchyard construction - 1964, Aerial view of trailer park housing for workers - 1958, Aerial view of Wahweap Marina - Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend downstream from Glen Canyon Dam, Kids jumping off houseboat near Wahweap - Lake Powell, Rafters at Lees Ferry prepare for trip through the Grand Canyon. Departs Page AZ, Grand Canyon AZ, Phoenix AZ, Las Vegas NV. Offers air/land tours in the Four Corners area. The tunnel was blasted prior to construction of Glen Canyon Dam in order to transport heavy equipment and supplies to the canyon floor. Water releases through the powerplant fluctuated as the powerplant responded to power system load changes, peak load demands, regulation of the power system and power system emergencies. The initial operation of Glen Canyon Dam focused on storing and releasing water to the Lower Basin states pursuant to the Colorado River Compact and generating power. Once the concrete was spread out within each block, the maximum depth of fresh concrete that a worker could have fallen into was only 12 inches (30 centimeters). Seepage is controlled to prevent erosion. Visit their website for more information about tour options. System emergencies occur fairly infrequently and … About two to three percent of the lake’s water evaporates into the atmosphere each year. The process of adaptive management is an important tool used to improve decision-making through better understanding and management of complex, interrelated systems. It would not have been possible for a worker to become trapped and buried in such a shallow depth of concrete. Beautiful vistas with lots of history. We move small boats from the launch ramp at Lees Ferry (the beginning of the Grand Canyon) 15 miles up the Colorado River to just below the Glen Canyon Dam that creates Lake Powell. Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. Departs Las Vegas NV, Henderson NV, Grand Canyon AZ. Glen Canyon Dam is the principal water storage unit of the Colorado River Storage Project. Why does the lake look so blue and the river below the dam look so green? ☏ Bookstore: (928) 608-6068 Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1964, taming the waters of the Colorado River and creating massive Lake Powell, a popular recreation area along the Utah/Arizona border. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. The visitor center provides many interesting exhibits, audio-visual programs, and ranger presentations as well as a gift shop and an educational bookstore. Construction of the 1,271 foot-long steel-arch bridge 700 feet above the river, was completed in January 1959, reducing a 200-mile trip to cross the river to less than a quarter mile. See the Guided Services page for a list of authorized guides for fishing, kayaking, hiking, and other outdoor adventures. This stored water has made it possible to successfully weather extended dry periods by sustaining the needs of cities, industries, and agriculture throughout the West. Departs Las Vegas NV or Page AZ. As a result, the temperature of the water deep below the lake’s surface is about 44 degrees F (7 degrees C) year-round, keeping the dam cold inside. The pace was unhurried and not over-un with herds of other folks. Multiple boat tour options departing from Wahweap Marina, Lake Powell Northlake Special Charters Smooth water float trips on the Colorado River from the Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. The Colorado River is administratively controlled by numerous statutes, compacts, decrees, and a treaty with Mexico, collectively referred to as the “Law of the River.” In 1970, the Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs was prepared in accordance with these formal regulations to form the rules by which the Colorado River reservoir system is operated. The best way to experience the Colorado River's grandeur is aboard a half-day Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip. Instead, the dam was constructed as a series of concrete blocks, some as large as 60 by 210 feet (18 by 64 meters). What is the purpose of the large rock bolts in the canyon walls? This icy water flows into the lake where it is so deep it cannot be warmed by the sun. Glen Canyon Dam, rising 710 feet above bedrock within the steep, rust-colored sand-stone walls of Glen Canyon, was constructed to harness the power of the Colorado River in order to provide for the water and power needs of millions of people in the West. At Glen Canyon Dam, the Carl B. Hayden Visitor Center is located 700 feet above the Colorado River overlooking Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge. Glen Canyon Conservancy provides tours of Glen Canyon Dam. Glen Canyon Dam is the principle water storage unit of the Colorado River Storage Project . Under that scenario, hydropower facilities generate the power that is necessary to restart the system, which includes other power generating sources such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear facilities. Lake Powell is about 186 miles long and attracts almost 3 million visitors a year. Formed by the waters of the Colorado River behind Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell’s 1,960 miles of winding shoreline (when full) and 186 mile-length make it the second-largest reservoir in the United States.