March 2005 Newsletter
Monthly Newsletter of the Glen Canyon Institute
March 11, 2005
Volume 4 No. 3
Howdy folks,
Things are starting to get very interesting in the Colorado River Basin as we get into March. The snow pack in some southern drainages is promising a flood. However, a warm spring, looking more and more likely, will cut into snow accumulations with snowpack in the northern part of the basin at or below average, overall runoff into Lake Powell Reservoir will be around the historical average. The reservoir will likely fill 30-50 feet this year between April and July. This will re-inundate dozens of one-of-a-kind places throughout the Glen like Cathedral in the Desert and Gregory Natural Bridge. This is a great tragedy and should be stopped. Worse, it simply isn't necessary - Instead of "Equalizing" Lakes Powell and Mead in order to maximize power generators' profits (as is currently done), this year's runoff should be captured in Lake Mead, which has plenty of room. There is no need to refill Glen Canyon.
Don't Flood Cathedral in the Desert!
Photo by Phillip Hyde, 1964
On another note, I just returned from a whirlwind 10 day tour of the communities surrounding Glen Canyon. I talked with people who live in Green River, Hite, Bluff, Cortez, Durango, Shiprock, Chinle, Kykotsmovi, Dilkon, Camp Verde, Flagstaff, Tuba City, Kaibeto, Page, Kanab, Springdale, Escalante, and Boulder. I showed lots of photos of the new Glen Canyon and talked about new management challenges and listened to what some of the local folks around Glen Canyon think about what's happening to the revealed landscape. This Spring, people are talking about how the floods on the San Juan, Escalante, and Dirty Devil Rivers will likely flush massive sediment deposits out of the canyons and facilitate increased ecosystem restoration. On my trip, I also happened to notice that the sound of the free-flowing river below the Hite Overlook is a beautiful thing. Go see Glen Canyon this year. The time is now.
Hopi and Navajo Collaboration to Protect Emerging Archaeological Resources.
I was able to spend some time on the Hopi and Navajo Reservations meeting with leaders about the protection of the emerging archaeological resources such as Fort Moqui (a newly emerged ruin near Hite). The response was extremely positive and we will continue working with the tribes and the NPS to ensure that all emerging sites are documented and properly protected. I also stopped in Page to meet with GCNRA Superintendent Kitty Roberts to discuss the current work of GCI and the NPS plan for management of the various emerging resources in Glen Canyon.
Hite Overlook and Free-flowing
Colorado River, March 2005
Photo by Christopher Peterson
November Grand Canyon Flooding Unsuccessful.
Within the last week, just downstream from Glen Canyon Dam in the world famous Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center has admitted wiping out nearly two-thirds of the steeply declining population of Endangered Humpback Chub with the highly-publicized artificial floods in November 2004. The Grand Canyon Protection Act mandates protection and recovery of native Humpback Chub populations and Glen Canyon Institute supports management policies designed for population sustainability and recovery of species in the Colorado River ecosystem. Current management policies are clearly not working and are leading toward the extirpation of a species in the Grand Canyon. This is unacceptable. Band-aid approaches simply don't work. GCI advocates implementing a systems management approach that considers the sustainability of the entire Colorado River system and allows a free-flowing river to reverse the declining ecosystem health of the Grand Canyon.
Glen Canyon Dam and Bathtub Ring, March 2005
Photo by Christopher Peterson
Spring/Summer Glen Canyon Presentations coming to a town near you!
We're busy scheduling presentations for this spring and summer in a community near you! We'll be sure to keep you informed of our presentation schedule and events as they are set. And check in regularly at
www.glencanyon.org/events/events.php for the latest info.
Contact Ericka Wells if you think you can round up a number of people who want to see GCI's new slideshow presentation featuring the "new" Glen Canyon.
GCI Field Trips
As you can tell, the movement to restore Glen Canyon is gaining steam as reservoir levels reach historic low levels this Spring. Now is the time to go in and see Glen Canyon. Our GCI Field Trips program is filling up very quickly, so don't wait to reserve your spot now. These are cost sharing trips we have organized in coordination with GCNRA. We area getting ready to lead our first Cleanup Service Trip into Glen Canyon to help Mother Nature restore the beauty of Glen Canyon. We have two spots on the March cleanup trip that have just opened up and need filling. Please call us to pick up these seats for our inaugural outing and a chance to help clean up the revealed landscape. We are currently updating the GCIFT webpage to include maps, photos, and a more user-friendly format. For more information about any of our Field Trip opportunities, email Jason Shumaker.
The Bottom of Anelopepoint Boat Ramp, March 2005
Photo by Christopher Peterson
There were a bunch of good articles during the last month. We've attached some of the more relevant to the Glen Canyon issue below under Newslinks.
We've moved our Salt Lake Office.
Please note that GCI has officially moved it's Salt Lake City office to a new location near Hogle Zoo. Our new address is :
1520 Sunnydale Lane
Salt Lake City UT 84108
Our phone and fax numbers are still the same as before.
And finally, please take a look at our expanding wishlist. There are most certainly folks out there who can help us find these items which will help GCI accomplish our mission. We are looking specifically for a 4-stroke 90+ HP boat motor for our cleanup boat, and a camper trailer or road worthy motor home. Contact Jason for more information or to have us come pick it up!
Thanks to all of our members and supporters for keeping GCI funded so we can continue to fight for a restored and protected Glen Canyon. Please keep in touch and spread the word.
Restore Glen Canyon. Free the Colorado! Save Grand Canyon.
Christopher Peterson
Executive Director
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GCI Wish List
http://www.glencanyon.org/join/wishlist.php
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Newslinks
Course Investigates Water Use in the West
By Heather Hunt-Wood
WSU Signpost
2/14/05
GCI executive director, Chris Peterson, discussed the future of Glen Canyon with Bureau of Reclamation spokesman Barry Wirth and students from Weber State University.
http://www.wsusignpost.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/02/14/421005e8294d3
Wet Winter Gives States Some Relief
Shaun McKinnon
Arizona Republic
2/16/05
Despite recent heavy storms, the moisture falling in the West is still not yet enough to end the current drought.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0216drought16.html
Water Supplies Still Not Normal
Hector Becerra
LA Times
2/24/05
Record setting rainfall is still not enough to reverse the impact of five years of drought on California water supplies
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-drought24feb24,0,6996249.story?coll=la-home-headlines
A City That Bets on Water
George Wills
Washington Post
2/25/05
Las Vegas is making changes as the city faces the reality of less water available as drought conditions continue and populations rise.
www.glencanyon.org/library/wpost_2-25-05.pdf
Glen Canyon, Born Again
Thomas Berenato & Mark Kirby
National Geographic Adventure
March 2005 issue
This feature highlights how you can be among the first to revisit the long-missed, recently reemerged treasures of the other Grand Canyon
Story:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0309/story.html#story_4
Photos:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0503/photo_01.html
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