Glen Canyon Dam facts for kids
The Glen Canyon Dam is a huge dam built on the Colorado River. You can find it near Page in Arizona. This amazing structure stands 583 feet (about 178 meters) tall and stretches 1,560 feet (about 475 meters) wide. It holds back the river's water to create Lake Powell, which is a very long lake, reaching 186 miles (about 299 kilometers) in length!
The main reasons for building the Glen Canyon Dam were to make electricity and to help stop big floods. The giant lake behind the dam, called a reservoir, can hold a massive amount of water – about 27 million acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot. That's a lot of water! Building the dam started in 1956, and it began collecting river water in 1963.
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What is the Glen Canyon Dam?
The Glen Canyon Dam is a massive concrete wall that blocks the flow of the Colorado River. It's one of the biggest dams in the United States. Dams like this are important because they help us control rivers and use their water for different purposes.
Why Was the Dam Built?
The Glen Canyon Dam was built for two main reasons:
- Making Electricity: The dam uses the power of falling water to create electricity. This is called hydroelectric power.
- Controlling Floods: Before the dam, the Colorado River could sometimes flood, causing damage to towns and farms. The dam helps control the river's flow, preventing these floods.
How Does the Dam Make Electricity?
Inside the Glen Canyon Dam are huge machines called turbines and generators. Here's how they work:
- Water from Lake Powell flows through large pipes called penstocks.
- This fast-moving water spins the giant turbines, which are like huge propellers.
- The spinning turbines are connected to generators.
- The generators then turn the movement into electricity.
- This electricity is sent through power lines to homes and businesses across the region.
How Does the Dam Control Floods?
The Colorado River can have very strong flows, especially when snow melts in the mountains. Without the dam, this water could cause serious floods downstream.
- The Glen Canyon Dam acts like a giant stopper.
- It holds back extra water in Lake Powell during times of heavy flow.
- This prevents too much water from rushing down the river at once.
- Later, the water can be released slowly and safely, protecting communities.
Lake Powell: A Giant Reservoir
Lake Powell is the second-largest artificial lake in the United States. It was created by the Glen Canyon Dam.
- Water Storage: Lake Powell stores water for millions of people in several states, including Arizona, California, and Nevada. This water is used for drinking, farming, and other needs.
- Recreation: The lake is also a popular spot for fun activities! People love to go boating, fishing, swimming, and explore the beautiful canyons that are now filled with water.
- Changing Water Levels: The amount of water in Lake Powell can change a lot depending on how much rain and snow falls in the mountains that feed the Colorado River. Sometimes, you can see a "bathtub ring" on the canyon walls, showing where the water level used to be higher.
Building the Dam
Building a dam as big as Glen Canyon was a huge project!
- Start of Construction: Work on the dam began in 1956. It took many years and thousands of workers to complete.
- Filling the Lake: The dam started holding back the river's flow in 1963. It took more than 17 years for Lake Powell to fill up completely for the first time!
Images for kids
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A boater on the river in Glen Canyon before damming, circa 1898.
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Map showing locations of major dams in the Colorado River Basin, with Glen Canyon near the center of the basin.
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Glen Canyon damsite from the air in November 1957, prior to construction of the Glen Canyon Bridge
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Architectural plans for the Glen Canyon Dam and ancillary structures
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Glen Canyon Dam under construction, 1962
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Lake Powell filling underway, 1965
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Glen Canyon Dam releasing floodwater in 1984, testing repairs of the spillways which were heavily damaged in 1983.
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The right spillway gates during 1983 flood, showing flashboards that were installed to increase the water level
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Low water levels on Lake Powell in April 2006, seen from Hole in the Rock. The water is 107 feet (33 m) below the top of the "bathtub ring" along the reservoir shore.
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An aerial view of Glen Canyon Dam from upstream, showing the spillways to lower left and right, the Glen Canyon Bridge and the electric switchyard to the right of the bridge.
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Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell
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Chart showing daily water volume observations for Lake Powell, from Jun 28, 1963 to October 11, 2021
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Francis turbine runner on display
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A generator being repaired with rotor removed
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View of the power plant and grass lawn
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Inside the turbine hall at the Glen Canyon Power Plant
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View of the Colorado immediately downstream of Glen Canyon Dam (right). The green, clear water is caused by the dam trapping sediment, which would naturally cause the river to have a reddish-brown color.
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The Colorado River is now much calmer and colder than before the dam was built.
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River outlet works are open during high flow experiment in December 2012.
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Map of Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon NRA
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See also
In Spanish: Presa del Cañón de Glen para niños
