Glen Canyon Dam and the Carl Hayden Visitor Center

The Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1964, creating Lake Powell. The dam is located at Page, Arizona, just a few miles south of the Utah border. It was constructed for multiple uses; it generates power, stores water for the southwestern United States provides recreation opportunities, and makes transportation more convenient.  

The dam is constructed primarily of concrete.  It took 4,901,000 cubic yards of concrete to build it. Construction started in 1956 and was completed in 1964.

It took 17 years for Lake Powell to fill to full pool. The lake has a storage capacity of 27,000,000 acre-feet, making it the second-largest man-made reservoir in the US.

The Carl Hayden Visitor Center

The visitor center provides panoramic views of the dam, Lake Powell, and the Colorado River.  It is also a great place to park and walk across the Glen Canyon Bridge. Inside the visitor center, there are museum-type exhibits and movies providing historical information.  There is also a gift shop.

Location and Hours

Dam Tours

Dam tours used to be available; however, they closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.  There is no exact date as to when the tours will resume, but I hope it is soon because seeing the inside of the dam is very interesting! For updated information, please check the NPS website.

Facts About the Glen Canyon Dam

• Location:
  • The Glen Canyon Dam is situated on the Colorado River in northern Arizona, near the town of Page.
• Construction:
  • Construction of the dam began in 1956 and was completed in 1966. It is a concrete arch dam, standing at a height of 710 feet (216 meters).
• Purpose:
  • The dam was built as part of the Colorado River Storage Project to store water, generate hydroelectric power, and control floods.
• Lake Powell:
  • The dam impounds Lake Powell, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States.
• Hydroelectric Power:
  • The dam has a hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of over 1,300 megawatts, making it a significant source of electrical power in the region.
• Environmental Impact:
  • The construction of the dam created Lake Powell and had substantial impacts on the ecology of the Colorado River and the Glen Canyon area. Therefore, the dam’s environmental effects have been the subject of debate and study.
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area:
  • The dam is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which encompasses a vast area along the Colorado River. The recreation area is popular for outdoor activities.
• Bridge:
  • The Glen Canyon Bridge spans the Colorado River just downstream from the dam. It is a steel arch bridge that was the highest bridge in the world when it was completed in 1959.
• Water Storage:
  • The dam helps regulate water flow in the Colorado River, providing water for agricultural, industrial, and municipal uses downstream.
• Impact on Ecosystem:
  • The dam’s presence has led to changes in sediment transport, water temperature, and the ecology of the Colorado River downstream, affecting fish habitats and other aquatic life. Because of these changes, the dam is closely monitored to try to minimize impact.
    

Take a Hike and See the Glen Canyon Dam from Another Angle