Grand Canyon Flooded to Restore Ecosystem
The U.S. Geological Survey flooded the Grand Canyon to stir sediment that helps restore beaches and save fish and plants that have been disappearing since water flow started being regulated 40 years ago.
A torrent of gushing water raced down the Colorado River and into the canyon, carrying natural sediment with it, as four giant steel tubes at the base of Glen Canyon Dam were opened.
“The sediment, sand, mud and silt play an important role in the ecosystem,” said Chip Groat of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Four decades ago, before the dam was built, natural flooding built up backwaters, eddies and sandbars with silt distributed from the Colorado’s tributaries. Twenty experiments will be conducted during the 90-hour test.
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