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

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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.