06-09-2002

The River and a Rainbow

The Colorado River dominates the landscape here in Northern Arizona. The Grand Canyon, Lees Ferry, Glen Canyon Dam, and Lake Powell…we came in contact with all of them today and the issues that surround them.
The day started with a visit to Hatch Expeditions located in Cliff Dwellings, AZ, near Lees Ferry. This is the oldest river-running company in AZ, and they have always been a presence on the Colorado. They were the company that took our trekkers on the Colorado in the Grand Canyon.
Right now the Colorado is facing several issues, all of which affect the Hatch family and their livelihood, and the livelihood of 45 employees and many in the nearby community: the allocation of permits to run the canyon, the use (or non-use) of motorized expeditions, and the use of helicopters to fly clients out of the canyon after a trip, and the designation of the entire Grand Canyon as a wilderness area. The Colorado River Management Plan can be found on the web at www.nps.gov/grca/crmp . There is also an online form that you can fill out with your comments.

The issues are very complex, and there are valid points on each side. But it seems to me that the Colorado has a long history of river running, and the commercial enterprises such as Hatch Expeditions have voluntarily converted to quiet 4-stroke engines, practice Leave No Trace as they pack in and pack out all of their trash and waste, and allow folks access to the river that might not normally be able to go, as a motorized trip takes as little as 7 days (therefore you can tour the Grand Canyon in a reasonable length of time), and disabled and elderly citizens can go to enjoy the beauty of the canyon (which might not be possible if they had to paddle the river or hike in or out). As one who could not hike into the canyon, taking a motorized trip may be the only way I ever get to see the canyon. Maybe I need to make my reservations now?

We also got to tour the Glen Canyon Dam today. Security was very high with the shadow of September 11 hanging over the country, but we got in and were treated to a wonderful tour by the GLEN Canyon Dam Facility Manager, Ken Rice. Joining him was Doug Hendrix, the Public Affairs Specialist. The tour took us into the bowels of the dam, where we got to touch the sandstone that the dam is anchored to, see the inner tunnels and workings of the dam and see where the electric turbines are housed. For more information about the Glen Canyon Dam please go to the link below




Tonight we are on a houseboat on Lake Powell. It has rained off and on all day long and tonight as the sun set we saw a double rainbow. It went completely from one side of the lake to the other. A beautiful end to the day.