Low Reservoir Reveals Glen Canyon Treasures: Photo Essay

Photos by GCI staff and Seth Arens

Cathedral in the Desert. Photo: Seth Arens

With Lake Powell approaching its seasonal low point before the Colorado River runoff begins, the reservoir dipped to its lowest point in 16 years. Making the most of the moment, GCI led a trip into the Escalante River drainage with USGS Scientists Scott Hynek and Casey Root as well as ecologist Seth Arens from Western Water Assessment to document some of the changing ecology and sediment of Glen Canyon.

While vast sections of Glen Canyon have been free from inundation for the past 15 years, there is a relatively small amount of data available on the ecological succession taking place, and overall patterns of sediment movement. This mission was a great opportunity to explore the new Escalante river delta as well as several other side canyons to collect data. Every piece of information we gathered will add to the knowledge base of Glen Canyon restoration and will help improve future management of the place.

Explore the photo story below.

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The Escalante Delta

The Escalante Delta met the reservoir much earlier than expected. It was amazing to see water moving sediment and working a new channel through the landscape.

Old buoys far from the current delta. Escalante Arm. Photo: Seth Arens

At the Escalante Delta, the USGS researchers performed tests and took samples of the fine sediment and the water.

USGS researchers Scott Scott Hynek and Casey Root collect sediment at the delta.

After our excursion up the Escalante Delta, we spent the next two days going up Willow Gulch and 50 Mile Creek to better understand the ecological succession occurring in those canyons.

Ecologist Seth Arens studying plant life in 50 Mile Creek
50 Mile Creek, a hundred feet below high water
Willows growing in Willow Gulch
A cottonwood growing in Willow Gulch. Photo: Seth Arens

We were very optimistic to see cottonwood trees returning to areas that were once under 80 feet of water.

Willow Gulch delta.
Exploring a changing landscape.
An alcove in Willow Gulch. Photo: Seth Arens

After our work in Willow and 50 Mile, we went to check in on an old friend: Cathedral in the Desert. At these water levels we knew the new floor would be out and we were happy to spend some time in one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring places in the world.

Our director Eric Balken photo matching in CID.
CID
The group in Cathedral. Photo: Seth Arens

As always we found a variety of relics and ghosts from high water.

“Ghost” Cottonwood
Quagga covered can
Fading bathtub and quagga lines

But, in general we were all amazed at the beauty of the place and left knowing that when given the chance these landscapes can restore themselves.