~ Glen Canyon Dam & Bridge ~
Carl Hayden Visitor Center located a couple of mile from Page Arizona isn’t really a hike but this attraction is a must-see for all visitors. The visitor center features engaging exhibits, scenic views, and educational programs. Highlights include a detailed relief map of Lake Powell country and breathtaking, vertigo-inducing views of Glen Canyon Dam and the depths of Glen Canyon through its glass wall, which extends over the 710-foot canyon. Walk out onto the 700 foot high Glen Canyon Bridge and marvel at the Dam and the Colorado River as it flows downstream toward the Grand Canyon. There is also a fascinating short documentary film about the construction of the Dam that plays throughout the day and is available for viewing at no charge.
Glen Canyon Dam
- Location: Near Carl Hayden Visitor Center & Page, Arizona, on the Colorado River.
- Completion: Construction began in 1956 and was completed in 1966.
- Purpose: Built for water storage, hydroelectric power generation, and river flow regulation as part of the Colorado River Storage Project.
- Reservoir: Created Lake Powell, the second-largest man-made reservoir in the U.S. (after Lake Mead).
- Height: 710 feet (216 meters), making it one of the tallest concrete arch dams in the U.S.
- Power Output: The hydroelectric plant generates around 1,300 megawatts at peak capacity.
- Controversy: Its construction flooded the scenic Glen Canyon, sparking major environmental opposition and inspiring the modern environmental movement.
Glen Canyon Bridge
- Built: Completed in 1959 to provide access for dam construction.
- Type: Steel arch bridge spanning the Colorado River just downstream of the dam.
- Length: About 1,271 feet (387 meters).
- Height Above River: Roughly 700 feet (213 meters), making it one of the highest bridges in the U.S. at the time of completion.
- Significance: When finished, it was the highest arch bridge in the world — a record it held until the early 1960s.