Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) Trail Ridge Road - Alpine Visitor Center - Day 4 of 5
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) Trail Ridge Road - Alpine Visitor Center - Day 4 of 5. Recorded on May 31st 2018. This video shows the The Trail Ridge Road leading up to the Alpine Visitor Center. We share some of the educational displays in the Visitor center. The Alpine Visitor Center is at elevation of 11,796 feet. Also shared some of the Trail Ridge Road Medicine Bow Curve leaving the Alpine Visitor Center.
“Rocky Mountain National Park's Alpine Visitor Center is located at 11,796 feet (3,595 m) above sea level at Fall River Pass, one mile west of the highest point on Trail Ridge Road and four miles east of the Continental Divide at Milner Pass in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is the highest visitor center in the National Park System.[1]
The Alpine Visitor Center includes restrooms, exhibits on the alpine tundra ecosystem, and a gift shop operated by the park's non-profit partner organization, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. The visitor center opens around Memorial Day and closes around mid-October due to snow and the extreme winter environment. In mid-summer, the visitor center is also usually accessible by Old Fall River Road, a 9-mile dirt road open to one-way, uphill vehicle traffic.
Views from the Alpine Visitor Center include the Mummy Range, the Fall River Valley, and Trail Ridge to the east and the Never Summer and Medicine Bow ranges to the west and north. Hiking opportunities include the 1/4-mile round-trip Alpine Ridge Trail, commonly referred to as Huffer's Hill, and the 8-mile round-trip Ute Trail to Milner Pass. Park Rangers provide park orientation and interpretive programs on the alpine tundra.
Additional gift and food services at Fall River Pass are provided at the concession-operated Trail Ridge Store and Cafe.“
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The views and opinions I express on this channel are my own. I make no claim as to the validity or accuracy of the content provided herein. I make no claim as to having any specialized training, being an expert or professional in relation to any subject discussed on this channel. The views and opinions expressed are not to be considered legal advise or professional advise as I am not trained or authorized in any way to dispense such advise. Do not attempt any of the activities shown or discussed without first seeking the advise of qualified professionals and receiving proper guidance and or training. You are strongly encouraged to do your own research in regard to any views or opinions expressed here including but not limited to companies, products and activities mentioned. The views and opinions expressed here are mine alone, based on my own personal experience, and not reflective of those of any other entity. I make no guarantee expressed or implied that your views, opinions or experience will be the same. Big Crazy Outdoor Adventures, BCOA.tv, Big Crazy John, his friends and, or family presented in the videos cannot be held liable or responsible for any injuries resulting in the use or misuse of any products or methods mentioned in the video. Viewer accepts any and all liability and understands that they are responsible for their own actions.
#rmnp #rockymountains #nationalpark
Top 15. Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
Top 15. Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake, Emerald Lake Trail, Alberta Falls, Alpine Visitor Center, Old Fall River Road, Sprague Lake, Alluvial Fan, Lily Lake, Adams Falls Trail, Bierstadt Lake, Sky Pond, Chapel on the Rock, Gem Lake, Cub Lake Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park: Memorial Day 2015, Kawuneeche Valley
This footage takes us up Trail Ridge Road around the Kawuneechee Valley. A large elk herd is often grazing just inside the park entrance. I set a day aside to view wildlife and wasn't disappointed. I started on the Onahu trailhead, followed the creek up to Green Mountain and descended into the Big Meadows area before continuing along the Colorado River headwaters. I had hoped to see more bull moose.
Rocky Mountain National Park | Kawuneeche Valley
October is one of the most pleasant months to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park for many reasons. There are no crowds, sunny weather and mild temperatures that are all great for having a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. This time around we drove into the west side of the park and took an easy walk through the Kawuneeche Valley, specifically the Coyote Valley Trail.
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This trail is completely flat and less than a mile each way making it accessible to a wide range of people. This is definitely a good way to warm up your legs before going for some of the more ambitious hikes in the park. The parking is limited to this trailhead, but coming in the fall can help avoid any parking trouble.
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Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park near Grand Lake, Colorado
Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park - Grand Lake, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park, in northern Colorado, is one of the top 10 most visited national parks in the United States, with nearly 2.8 million visitors each year. Want to enjoy this natural wonderland without the hassle? Visit the Park's quiet side. The western side of the Park -- accessed via the Kawuneeche Visitor Center -- sees only a third of the traffic of the more popular eastern side.
FMI:
Copyright 2013 Diana Rowe
Hiking the CDT Loop - Colorado Backpacking & Camping Trip
4 Days of Hiking, Camping & Backpacking on Colorado’s Continental Divide Trail in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. GPS Data at
For this backpacking trip, we’ll be doing a 4 day, 3 night camping trip on a section of the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. Sometimes referred to as the “CDT Short Loop”, this backpacking loop is a 29 mile mile circuit with several access point options. In our case, we parked at the Green Mountain trailhead, just past the RMNP Kawuneeche visitor center and park entrance by Grand Lake, CO. The 2 mile Green Mountain trail provided us access to the CDT and brought our mileage for the loop up to 33 miles.
For an easier read, check out my full blog post here:
GPS Data for this trip and many others can be found on my Trip Data Page. Includes full track data for each day, and way-points for campsites used, water sources, etc along the loop.
Season: First week of September
Trailhead Used: Green Mountain Trailhead, RMNP, Grand Lake, CO – 40°18’26.7″N 105°50’28.7″W
This parking area is only a few miles into the park & provides overnight parking for plenty of vehicles. A park entrance pass and wilderness camping permit is required (contact the Kawuneeche Office for details and availability)
Trails Used Day 1:
Park at the Green Mountain Trailhead.
Green Mountain Trail
Junction with Tonahutu Creek Trail (CDT)
Continue north on the Continental Divide Trail
Setup camp at Sunset camp (Elevation 9,498′)
This is a single group tentsite that must be reserved via permit.
Day 1 Mileage: 4 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 974′
Trails Used, Day 2:
Continue on the Tonahutu Creek Trail (CDT)
Stock up on water before heading up the ridge (last chance at N40° 19.579′ W105° 43.701′)
Continue on Tonahutu Creek Trail (CDT) through Ptarmigan Pass
Junction North Inlet Trail / Flattop Mountain Trail
Head south on the North Inlet Trail (CDT)
Junction North Inlet / Lake Nanita Trail
Head South on the Lake Nanita Trail
Setup camp at Pine Marten Camp (Elevation 9,568′)
These are two separate single group tentsites that must be reserved via permit.
Trails used Day 3:
Dayhike to Lake Nokoni by heading south on the Lake Nanita Trail
We only went to the first lake, Nokoni, due to weather and time issues, but there is a second lake, Nanita, about .75 miles further up the trail.
Backtrack to camp and grab packs.
Return to Junction w/ North Inlet Trail
Continue west on the North Inlet Trail (CDT)
Setup camp at Twinberry Camp # 2 (Elevation 8,661′)
These are two separate single group tentsites that must be reserved via permit.
Day 3 Mileage: 9.6 miles (4 miles round trip for lake hike, 5.6 miles on the CDT Loop)
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,414′ (Almost all of this was from the lake hike excursion)
Trails used Day 4:
Continue west on the North Inlet Trail (CDT)
Arrive at the North Inlet Trailhead
Beyond the parking lot, you’ll find the Tonahutu Trailhead
Head north on the Tonahutu Creek Trail
Junction with Green Mountain Trail
Return to Green Mountain Trailhead
Day 4 Mileage: 9.5 miles
Day 4 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,204′
Grand Total Mileage: 37 Miles
Grand Total Elevation Gain: 6,666′
Note: 4 miles and 1,414′ can be attributed to our day 3 lake hike)
Notable Backpacking Gear Seen / Discussed:
Nemo Losi 3p Tent
Unigear Sleeping Pad
Big Agnes Q-Core SL Sleeping Pad
Alite Mayfly Camp Chair
WrightSocks
Steripen Ultralight UV Water Purifier
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket
Hammock Gear Burrow Top Quilts
Outdoor Vitals 15° Down MummyPod Sleeping Bag
Hammock Gear Dyneema Hex Tarp w/ Doors
2T's Hammock Chair
Shawn's Gregory Optic 48 Backpack
Sara's ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack
Dutchware Argon Pack Cover
Toaks 450ml Titanium Cup
Packit Gourmet Backpacking Meals
Sea To Summit Alpha Light Long Spork
MalloMe Camp Cook Kit
Budget Canister Stove
Mike's MSR Whisperlite Universal Stove
BearVault BV500 Bear Canister
NatGeo Rocky Mountain National Park Map
Sangean DT-400W Weather Band Radio
Garmin Oregon GPS
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One Day at Rocky Mountain National Park
A one day adventure at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado with yours truly. Come see the mountains, the meadows, the river and more of the scenic views and drives through the park on Trail Ridge Road.
Day 2-13 RMNP - Moraine Park to Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Day 2-13 RMNP - Moraine Park to Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Rocky Mountain National Park - Elk Herd at Alpine Visitor Center
via YouTube Capture
RMNP Opens May 27, 2015
Rocky Mountain National Park and Trail Ridge Rd. opened on May 27, 2015. I took a ride up to the top visitors center to see the snow drifts.
Rocky Mountain National Park | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Rocky Mountain National Park
00:01:46 1 History
00:03:20 2 Geography
00:05:51 2.1 Region 1: Moose and big meadows
00:08:04 2.2 Region 2: Alpine region
00:09:18 2.3 Region 3: Wilderness
00:12:55 2.4 Region 4: Heart of the park
00:16:22 2.5 Region 5: Waterfalls and backcountry
00:17:40 3 Climate
00:18:19 3.1 Elevation
00:19:44 3.2 Continental Divide
00:20:19 3.3 Climate change study
00:22:22 4 Geology
00:25:00 4.1 Glaciation
00:26:14 5 Ecology
00:28:14 5.1 Montane zone
00:29:47 5.2 Subalpine zone
00:31:15 5.3 Alpine tundra
00:33:21 5.4 Riparian zone
00:34:23 5.5 Wildlife
00:34:54 5.5.1 Elk
00:35:41 5.5.2 Other ungulates
00:36:16 5.5.3 Predators
00:37:36 6 Recreational activities
00:39:40 7 Access
00:40:19 7.1 Trail Ridge Road and other roads
00:41:55 7.2 Estes Park
00:43:12 7.3 Grand Lake
00:43:42 8 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Rocky Mountain National Park is an American national park located approximately 76 mi (122 km) northwest of Denver International Airport in north-central Colorado, within the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The park is situated between the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west. The eastern and westerns slopes of the Continental Divide run directly through the center of the park with the headwaters of the Colorado River located in the park's northwestern region. The main features of the park include mountains, alpine lakes and a wide variety of wildlife within various climates and environments, from wooded forests to mountain tundra.
The Rocky Mountain National Park Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on January 26, 1915, establishing the park boundaries and protecting the area for future generations. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the main automobile route, Trail Ridge Road, in the 1930s. In 1976, UNESCO designated the park as one of the first World Biosphere Reserves. In 2017, more than 4.4 million recreational visitors entered the park. The park is one of the most visited in the National Park System, ranking as the third most visited national park in 2015.The park has a total of five visitor centers with park headquarters located at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center—a National Historic Landmark designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin West. National Forest lands surround the park including Roosevelt National Forest to the north and east, Routt National Forest to the north and west, and Arapaho National Forest to the west and south, with the Indian Peaks Wilderness area located directly south of the park.
COLORADO Camping: Timber Creek Camp & Grand Lake: East Rocky Mtn NP: Vlog 8/10
This video is part 8 of our unplanned trip to Colorado- we took the Trail Ridge road from the East side to the West side across the continental divide- then were lucky enough to get a campsite at the Timber Creek Campground. We went to get a backcountry permit for the following night at the Visitors Center and then Explored Grand Lake and the Holzwarth Historic Homestead site. We got to experience Elk in a much safer environmant than last time and we survived our night of camping in freezing temperatures before getting packed and heading to our last night of backpacking & camping in Colorado. #colorado #camping #vlog
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Colorado River | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Colorado River
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
The Colorado River is one of the principal rivers of the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico (the other being the Rio Grande). The 1,450-mile-long (2,330 km) river drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. and two Mexican states. Starting in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the river flows generally southwest across the Colorado Plateau and through the Grand Canyon before reaching Lake Mead on the Arizona–Nevada border, where it turns south toward the international border. After entering Mexico, the Colorado approaches the mostly dry Colorado River Delta at the tip of the Gulf of California between Baja California and Sonora.
Known for its dramatic canyons, whitewater rapids, and eleven U.S. National Parks, the Colorado River and its tributaries are a vital source of water for 40 million people. The river and its tributaries are controlled by an extensive system of dams, reservoirs, and aqueducts, which in most years divert its entire flow for agricultural irrigation and domestic water supply. Its large flow and steep gradient are used for generating hydroelectric power, and its major dams regulate peaking power demands in much of the Intermountain West. Intensive water consumption has dried up the lower 100 miles (160 km) of the river, which has rarely reached the sea since the 1960s.Beginning with small bands of nomadic hunter-gatherers, Native Americans have inhabited the Colorado River basin for at least 8,000 years. Between 2,000 and 1,000 years ago, the watershed was home to large agricultural civilizations – considered some of the most sophisticated indigenous North American cultures – which eventually declined due to a combination of severe drought and poor land use practices. Most native peoples that inhabit the region today are descended from other groups that settled there beginning about 1,000 years ago. Europeans first entered the Colorado Basin in the 16th century, when explorers from Spain began mapping and claiming the area, which became part of Mexico upon its independence in 1821. Early contact between Europeans and Native Americans was generally limited to the fur trade in the headwaters and sporadic trade interactions along the lower river.
After most of the Colorado River basin became part of the U.S. in 1846, much of the river's course was still the subject of myths and speculation. Several expeditions charted the Colorado in the mid-19th century – one of which, led by John Wesley Powell, was the first to run the rapids of the Grand Canyon. American explorers collected valuable information that was later used to develop the river for navigation and water supply. Large-scale settlement of the lower basin began in the mid- to late-19th century, with steamboats providing transportation from the Gulf of California to landings along the river that linked to wagon roads to the interior. Starting in the 1860s, gold and silver strikes drew prospectors to parts of the upper Colorado River basin.
Large engineering works began around the start of the 20th century, with major guidelines established in a series of international and U.S. interstate treaties known as the Law of the River. The U.S. federal government was the main driving force behind the construction of dams and aqueducts, although many state and local water agencies were also involved. Most of the major dams were built between 1910 and 1970; the system keystone, Hoover Dam, was completed in 1935. The Colorado is now considered among the most controlled and litigated rivers in the world, with every drop of its water fully allocated.
The environmental movement in the American Southwest has opposed the damming and diversion of the Colorado River system because of detrimental effects on the ecology and natural beauty of the river and its tributaries. During the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, environmental organizations vowed to block a ...
Colorado River | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Colorado River
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
The Colorado River is one of the principal rivers of the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico (the other being the Rio Grande). The 1,450-mile-long (2,330 km) river drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. and two Mexican states. Starting in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the river flows generally southwest across the Colorado Plateau and through the Grand Canyon before reaching Lake Mead on the Arizona–Nevada border, where it turns south toward the international border. After entering Mexico, the Colorado approaches the mostly dry Colorado River Delta at the tip of the Gulf of California between Baja California and Sonora.
Known for its dramatic canyons, whitewater rapids, and eleven U.S. National Parks, the Colorado River and its tributaries are a vital source of water for 40 million people. The river and its tributaries are controlled by an extensive system of dams, reservoirs, and aqueducts, which in most years divert its entire flow for agricultural irrigation and domestic water supply. Its large flow and steep gradient are used for generating hydroelectric power, and its major dams regulate peaking power demands in much of the Intermountain West. Intensive water consumption has dried up the lower 100 miles (160 km) of the river, which has rarely reached the sea since the 1960s.Beginning with small bands of nomadic hunter-gatherers, Native Americans have inhabited the Colorado River basin for at least 8,000 years. Between 2,000 and 1,000 years ago, the watershed was home to large agricultural civilizations – considered some of the most sophisticated indigenous North American cultures – which eventually declined due to a combination of severe drought and poor land use practices. Most native peoples that inhabit the region today are descended from other groups that settled there beginning about 1,000 years ago. Europeans first entered the Colorado Basin in the 16th century, when explorers from Spain began mapping and claiming the area, which became part of Mexico upon its independence in 1821. Early contact between Europeans and Native Americans was generally limited to the fur trade in the headwaters and sporadic trade interactions along the lower river.
After most of the Colorado River basin became part of the U.S. in 1846, much of the river's course was still the subject of myths and speculation. Several expeditions charted the Colorado in the mid-19th century – one of which, led by John Wesley Powell, was the first to run the rapids of the Grand Canyon. American explorers collected valuable information that was later used to develop the river for navigation and water supply. Large-scale settlement of the lower basin began in the mid- to late-19th century, with steamboats providing transportation from the Gulf of California to landings along the river that linked to wagon roads to the interior. Starting in the 1860s, gold and silver strikes drew prospectors to parts of the upper Colorado River basin.
Large engineering works began around the start of the 20th century, with major guidelines established in a series of international and U.S. interstate treaties known as the Law of the River. The U.S. federal government was the main driving force behind the construction of dams and aqueducts, although many state and local water agencies were also involved. Most of the major dams were built between 1910 and 1970; the system keystone, Hoover Dam, was completed in 1935. The Colorado is now considered among the most controlled and litigated rivers in the world, with every drop of its water fully allocated.
The environmental movement in the American Southwest has opposed the damming and diversion of the Colorado River system because of detrimental effects on the ecology and natural beauty of the river and its tributaries. During the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, environmental organizations vowed to block a ...
Colorado River | Wikipedia audio article | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Colorado River | Wikipedia audio article
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
The Colorado River is one of the principal rivers of the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico (the other being the Rio Grande). The 1,450-mile-long (2,330 km) river drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. and two Mexican states. Starting in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the river flows generally southwest across the Colorado Plateau and through the Grand Canyon before reaching Lake Mead on the Arizona–Nevada border, where it turns south toward the international border. After entering Mexico, the Colorado approaches the mostly dry Colorado River Delta at the tip of the Gulf of California between Baja California and Sonora.
Known for its dramatic canyons, whitewater rapids, and eleven U.S. National Parks, the Colorado River and its tributaries are a vital source of water for 40 million people. The river and its tributaries are controlled by an extensive system of dams, reservoirs, and aqueducts, which in most years divert its entire flow for agricultural irrigation and domestic water supply. Its large flow and steep gradient are used for generating hydroelectric power, and its major dams regulate peaking power demands in much of the Intermountain West. Intensive water consumption has dried up the lower 100 miles (160 km) of the river, which has rarely reached the sea since the 1960s.Beginning with small bands of nomadic hunter-gatherers, Native Americans have inhabited the Colorado River basin for at least 8,000 years. Between 2,000 and 1,000 years ago, the watershed was home to large agricultural civilizations – considered some of the most sophisticated indigenous North American cultures – which eventually declined due to a combination of severe drought and poor land use practices. Most native peoples that inhabit the region today are descended from other groups that settled there beginning about 1,000 years ago. Europeans first entered the Colorado Basin in the 16th century, when explorers from Spain began mapping and claiming the area, which became part of Mexico upon its independence in 1821. Early contact between Europeans and Native Americans was generally limited to the fur trade in the headwaters and sporadic trade interactions along the lower river.
After most of the Colorado River basin became part of the U.S. in 1846, much of the river's course was still the subject of myths and speculation. Several expeditions charted the Colorado in the mid-19th century – one of which, led by John Wesley Powell, was the first to run the rapids of the Grand Canyon. American explorers collected valuable information that was later used to develop the river for navigation and water supply. Large-scale settlement of the lower basin began in the mid- to late-19th century, with steamboats providing transportation from the Gulf of California to landings along the river that linked to wagon roads to the interior. Starting in the 1860s, gold and silver strikes drew prospectors to parts of the upper Colorado River basin.
Large engineering works began around the start of the 20th century, with major guidelines established in a series of international and U.S. interstate treaties known as the Law of the River. The U.S. federal government was the main driving force behind the construction of dams and aqueducts, although many state and local water agencies were also involved. Most of the major dams were built between 1910 and 1970; the system keystone, Hoover Dam, was completed in 1935. The Colorado is now considered among the most controlled and litigated rivers in the world, with every drop of its water fully allocated.
The environmental movement in the American Southwest has opposed the damming and diversion of the Colorado River system because of detrimental effects on the ecology and natural beauty of the river and its tributaries. During the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, environmental organizations vowed to block any ...