Lake Powell is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in the western United States. Lake Powell was created by the construction of a hydroelectric dam and is protected by the federal government. Once occupied by Native Americans, the area is now a popular tourist attraction.
Glen Canyon, now flooded by Lake Powell, has been inhabited for about 11,500 years, according to the National Park Service. The archaic period, from about 8,050 until 400 B.C., is particularly well-represented in the canyon. The formative period, from about 500 to 1300 A.D., is the best-represented because of the presence of multiple Native American groups, the Fremont and Anasazi, living in the area during this time. The first Europeans to visit the area were Spanish friars and later the Latter Day Saints created mining settlements. The Glen Canyon Dam was constructed in 1963; in 1972, the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area was established by Congress.
Lake Powell is the second largest reservoir in the United States and comprises 13 percent of the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. The Glen Canyon Dam is over 700 feet high and 300 feet thick at its base. Lake Powell stretches for more than 180 miles and has a surface area of more than 160,000 acres. The total capacity of the lake is 27 million acre-feet, with about 20 million acre-feet being used on a regular basis. Because of the size of the lake, the diversity of wildlife, particular birds, has dramatically increased since the construction of the dam. According to the National Park Service, the variety of birds and fish make Lake Powell an ideal spot for sport fishing and bird watching.
Lake Powell is located on the border between Utah and Arizona, with most of the park in Utah. If you are traveling to Lake Powell, the closest airport is in the city of Page, but you can take chartered flights from Page or Salt Lake City to landing strips within the park if you would prefer not to rent a car. No public transportation is available to take to the park. Once you are in the park, the only way to get to the backcountry across Lake Powell is by boat.
Lake Powell's most popular activity is boating, which boasts 2 million participants a year. However, there are a number of other activities you can participate in during a trip to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Hiking and mountain biking on the surrounding shores and cliffs are popular, and the park service encourages visitors to explore the surrounding areas along the shores and in the backcountry.
In order to use your boat at Lake Powell, you must have the boat certified as being zebra mussel-free each time you enter. The certification is available from trained park employees at the launch ramps during specified hours. As of 2010, the ramps open early in the morning and remain open until early evening. Lake Powell does not employ any lifeguards, so swimming is at your own risk.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is open year-round, but some services, such as the marinas and the Glen Canyon visitor centers, have limited winter hours. During the summer, the Carl Hayden Visitor Center is open later. The Bullfrog Visitor Center has varying hours, starting in May.
Mark Kennan is a writer based in the Kansas City area, specializing in personal finance and business topics. He has been writing since 2009 and has been published by "Quicken," "TurboTax," and "The Motley Fool."