The History of the Colorado River

The Colorado River is by far one of the most significant rivers in the United States, boasting a

long and fascinating history dating all the way back to prehistoric ages. While today it’s

primarily used as a source of water and hydroelectric power, in addition to being enjoyed by

travelers for everything from white water rafting to Grand Canyon tours, it has played an

important role in history long before the United States as we know it even existed.

Scientists presently theorize that Arizona’s majestic Grand Canyon was originally formed by the

Colorado River over the course of six million years, primarily through the process of water

erosion and ice expansion.1 In prehistoric times, the river served as a boundary between

Ancestral Puebloan cultures. These ancient Native American populations, also known as

Anasazi, were settled in what is now known as the Four Corners, comprised of the adjoining

borders between Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. This area was inhabited by

different Native American tribes for many centuries to come.

There is still some debate about when the first documented discovery of the Colorado River

originally took place by Europeans. Many historians agree, however, that it was first found by

Spanish explorers looking for gold, sometime between the years 1510 and 1554. The area was

also believed to be mapped in the early 1600s by explorer Francisco de Bolanos. It wasn’t until

the mid-19th century that the river’s surrounding region was fully mapped through various

expeditions, later settled by early Mormon pioneers and other white settlers, with the river being

used as a mode of both trade and transportation. It began to find a growing population among

miners and travelers alike; however, mining proved to be an unsuccessful feat for many men

seeking riches, forcing them to travel elsewhere in search of much-sought after, yet ever-elusive

minerals.

John Wesley Powell, also known as “The Father of Reclamation,” led one of the first and most

daring expeditions regarding irrigation starting in 1867, mapping probable locations for dam

construction that eventually led to future funding through The Reclamation Act of 1902. The

early 1900s found even further development of the river’s potential uses through government

sponsored investigations of flood control, as well as water supply and hydropower possibilities

through the newly founded Bureau of Reclamation.

The construction of dams and other impoundments began shortly thereafter, including one of the

most famous dams in existence today—the Boulder Dam, later to be renamed Hoover Dam after

President Herbert Hoover. Located on the Colorado River’s Black Canyon along the border of

Nevada and Arizona, the Hoover Dam’s massive creation was one of triumph and tragedy, as it

became the world’s tallest dam to ever be constructed at the time of its completion in 1938;

1 http://grandcanyonhistory.clas.asu.edu/history_coloradoriver.html

however, its construction also cost over one hundred workers’ lives. It later became, and still is, a

hugely popular sightseeing staple for tourists seeking to experience versatile Las Vegas tours that

extend beyond “the Strip.”

The 1960s and 70s saw new advancements, including the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam,

which generated the creation of nearby Lake Powell. This period of time also observed the

construction of canals and aqueducts for transporting water to major neighboring cities,

including Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

Not only is the Colorado River still an extensive water source for the southwestern United States,

today it also remains a place for travelers to take part in exciting outdoor activities, ranging from

kayaking, to fly fishing, to ziplining, and much, much more. The rich history of this historic river

has played an important role in native and western civilization for thousands upon thousands of

years, and it remains a crucial component for both present-day and future generations to come.