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AREA HISTORY
Glen Canyon Dam
928-608-6200
www.nps.gov/glca
PO Box 1507, Page
Glen Canyon’s construction officially began on October 15, 1956. The dam was built to generate power for growing communities and supply water to the southwest. Initially there was controversy over its construction. Some thought it would compromise the fate of America’s western water resources and wilderness tracts. Even so, major construction began in 1963.
Glen Canyon Bridge was constructed in California, disassembled, and then half the bridge was taken to each side of the canyon. This allowed trucks to deliver equipment more easily to the dam and the town of Page, AZ. The dam was completed in 1966.
With all eight generators working at full output, over 15 million gallons of water pass through the plant’s penstocks each minute. The electricity produced provides enough energy to supply approximately 1.5 million users. Free tours are offered daily, and there are many to choose from. Guides take groups of 25 on a one-hour tour of the concrete monolith during regular visitor hours. To reserve a tour, visit the reservation desk at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center (see page 17).
Page
928-645-8861
www.cityofpage.org
PO Box 1180, 697 Vista Avenue, Page
The City of Page is one of the youngest communities in the United States. It is located approximately five hours north of Phoenix and five hours east of Las Vegas in northeastern Arizona. In 1957, the town began as a housing camp for workers building the Glen Canyon Dam. In 1958, some 24 square miles
of Navajo land were exchanged for a larger tract in Utah, and “Government Camp” was born (later called Page in honor of Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner John C. Page).
In the beginning, Page’s economy survived on its power-industry driven economic base. They soon
added tourism with the nearly filled Lake Powell Reservoir bringing in several thousand visitors. Page’s location benefits the tourism driven economy. It’s proud to boast of being the hub of the Grand Circle. They welcome nearly 3 million people every year. Page has everything you need to make your visit to Lake Powell and Canyon Country a truly amazing adventure.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell is the second largest man-made lake in the United States. Its home is in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which was established in 1972. The area’s early history dates back to the ice age about 10,000 years ago, when herds of mammoth roamed the land and the climate was cool and wet. As it got hotter and dryer a new
Glen Canyon Dam
Constructing Glen Canyon Dam, c 1964
Courtesy Utah Historical Society
AREA HISTORY
2019