Manmade Flood Grand Canyon
On March 5, 2008, the Grand Canyon was artificially flooded by releasing water from the Glen Canyon Dam. The flood is intended to wash away excess sediment that has accumulated on the banks of the Colorado River. The "blowout" seeks to revive an ecosystem that was affected by the construction of the dam in 1963.
Fast Facts
- Duration of flood: 60 hours
- Third test on the river since 1996
- 4 fish species became extinct after the dam was built1
- Pre-dam water conditions were warm and muddy
- Post-dam water conditions are cold and clear
- Smaller floods scheduled for the fall of 2008.
- Dam maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation
Dam Affects
The Glen Canyon Dam, built upstream on the Colorado River, altered the waterway with a more controlled flow of water. The regulated flow of water disrupted the spring floods that naturally restored beaches and created side pools for fish and other wildlife.
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