State of the USA (219,889 km2 with 2,784,572 inhabitants in 2008) central-western, bordering Idaho (N), the Wyoming (northeast), the Colorado (E), Arizona (S) and the Nevada (OR). Capital Salt Lake City. It is a region of highlands, divided by the Wasatch Mountains, which extend in the northeast-southwest direction (Gilbert Peak 4092 m), in two areas: the western semi-desert, which constitutes the eastern edge of the Great Basin, and the eastern one, rich in waters and furrowed by deep canyons, included in the Colorado Basin. The climate is accentuated continental, rainfall is scarce (excluding the highest regions), with maximums in spring. The state’s economic progress is due to the Mormons, who still make up the majority of the population today and who introduced thriving agriculture (wheat, alpha, sugarcane, potatoes and fruit) to the region. The breeding (bovine and ovine) is remarkable. Above all, copper and lead are extracted from the abundant reserves of the subsoil, as well as silver, zinc, gold, petroleum, natural gas and magnesium. The most important industries are metalworking, petrochemicals, food. Since the mid-1990s, the computer industry has developed in the Provo region and neighboring Orem. The contribution of tourism is remarkable,
According to abbreviationfinder, the territory of the present Utah was visited by two Spanish missionaries in 1776, then explored by leather traders (1824); in 1829-30 a Mexican expedition under the leadership of A. Armijo opened, across the Utah, a way from the New Mexico to California. The region belonged to Spain until 1821, then to Mexico until 1848. In 1847 with the arrival of Brigham Young the Mormon colony was born. In 1848 the USA, with the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, came into possession of the Utah, and in 1850 the Congress decided to organize it as a territory by greatly reducing its borders, then further reduced (1861, 1862, 1866, 1868). The intransigence of Mormons regarding their religious and social beliefs caused numerous friction with the federal authorities: in 1857-58 the territory was occupied by the army. The discovery of silver veins in the 1860s favored the influx of numerous miners and traders; relations between the two groups were often difficult. In 1896 the Utah was finally admitted as a State of the Union.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell owes its existence to the Glen Canyon Dam, which was built in the 1960s to generate electricity in the middle of the Colorado River. At the same time, seven US states and Mexico are supplied with water from the lake.
On September 22nd, 1966, Ladybird Johnson opened the dam and it took 17 years for Lake Powell to fill up completely. In 1956, construction work began, creating the second largest man-made lake in the United States by submerging the second largest canyon on earth. The massive encroachment on nature has created a shoreline upriver which, with its many branches, is longer than the American west coast. The water of the Colorado has been dammed by the Glen Canyon Dam since 1963, making it the second largest reservoir in the USA with 33.3 billion cubic meters of water. The shoreline covers 3,150 km.
The lake extends from the southern end at Page to far into Utah. Unique rock forms, such as those prevalent in the Grand Canyon NP, form the shores of the 173 m deep lake. Red-brown Navajo sandstone, white Entrada sandstone and other colorful sedimentary rocks bear witness to the region’s long history, which dates back to the Mesozoic era (245 to 65 million years ago). Narrow canyons, barren badlands, hidden bays and islands shape the landscape.
The dry, sunny climate and the wide range of recreational opportunities attracts over 3 million visitors each year. North and northwest of Lake Powell are other national parks with similar geological formations: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches NP
The lake was named after Major John Wesley Powell (1834-1902), who explored the Grand Canyon in 1869. A photogenic panorama is offered along US Highway 89: reddish-brown, smooth sandstone walls, deeply indented and jagged canyons. The central and northern parts of the lake are accessible via US Highway 95 and 276, respectively. A ferry connects the two sections of the Hwy. 276. – The official website. utah.com offers Accommodation options such as Photos and videos.
Weather and climate
Generally it is dry and warm, in summer it is particularly hot, 35 degrees Celsius is nothing unusual. Occasionally thunderstorms occur. The winters are cool, temperatures around zero degrees Celsius are possible. The best travel times are spring and autumn.
Landmarks
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (official website)
The Glen Canyon Dam is one of the highest dams in the USA at 216 m. This structure, begun in 1956, dammed the Colorado River over 300 km into neighboring Utah. In addition to the energy, a 645 square kilometer large water reservoir was gained, which invites you to a variety of leisure activities. The 5,000 square km Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is part of the National Park System and borders Canyonlands National Park to the northeast and Grand Canyon National Park to the south. Drive to Lake Powell by car from Phoenix / Arizona about four hours, from Las Vegas / Nevada a little longer. Access to the area costs admission.
Carl Hayden Visitor Center (official website)
Carl Hayden Visitor Center on Highway 89 near Page, Arizona. There are (partly interactive) exhibitions, ranger-led tours and an orientation film. It is also possible to visit the dam on a guided tour (dam tour, at 9, 11, 1 and 3 p.m.). Tickets must be ordered in advance at the ticket desk (free of charge). Backpacks, handbags, etc. may not be taken on the tour and must remain in the car (no overhead lockers in the visitor center!), Filming and photography inside the dam are not permitted. With an elevator it goes down. The Visitor Center takes its name from a US Senator from Arizona, it belongs to the Bureau of Reclamation but is operated by the National Park Service. US 89 leads directly at the Visitor Center over the Colorado River (Glen Canyon Bridge).
Marinas on Lake Powell
The main leisure activities take place on or rather on the water of Lake Powell. There are 6 marinas, some of which are very far apart. The Wahweap Marina is the most important tourist destination.
Wahweap Marina
Approximately 3 miles across the water from Glen Canyon Dam and 6 miles overland from the town of Page. There are many tourist offers from rowing boats to houseboats to sightseeing tours. In order to live here, it is essential to reserve in good time, especially between May and October.
Wahweap Marina was named after Wahweap Canyon, which is now covered by Lake Powell. The word comes from the language of the Paiute Indians and means bitter or alkaline water. Arizona time applies, which is one hour before Utah time in the main season (summer time)! The Wahweap Marina is operated by ARAMARK, the National Park Service’s sole concessionaire. Accommodation, groceries, gifts, gas stations and all maritime services are on offer.
Dangling Rope Marina
is approximately 40 nautical miles from Glen Canyon Dam and 55 nautical miles from Hall’s and Bullfrog Marina. It is a stop on the way to Rainbow Bridge. There is no land access and houseboats cannot be rented here. The main purpose of this marina is to refuel boats.
Bullfrog Marina
is the second largest marina on Lake Powell and approximately 95 nautical miles from Glen Canyon Dam, across from Hall’s Crossing Marina. Both marinas are connected by the John Atlantic Burr Ferry, which operates and translates on a first-come, first-served basis. It is therefore advisable to arrive in good time (around 30 minutes before the scheduled departure) The crossing takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The closest city is Hanksville, Utah, with limited supplies. Bullfrog Marina is Utah time. The Visitor Center on Highway 276 is open from early April to mid-October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features exhibits on the history of Glen Canyon and a model of a slot canyon.
Hall’s Crossing Marina
is 95 nautical miles from Glen Canyon Dam and approximately 90 land miles from Blanding, Utah. Utah time also applies here. There are grocery stores, hotels and a flight service to Blanding. The marina can be reached via Highway 276, which leads through open land with grazing cattle. Hall’s Crossing Boater Contact Station is a self-serve information center and is open from 8am to 10pm during the summer. Toilets are here.
Hite Marina
is very isolated on the northernmost tip of Lake Powell, about 90 miles from Blanding, Utah, accessible via Highway 95. There is no lodge and only a simple campsite and a maritime store. The Ranger Station is only open on a case-by-case basis.
Antelope Point
opened in July 1999 and is still developing. The marina can only be used during the day (5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Arizona time).
According to countryaah, Utah has the following main cities:
Salt Lake City
City of the USA (until 1868 Great Salt Lake City; 181,698 in 2008), capital of the state of Utah, at 1350 m asl, on lake terraces in the Jordan River valley, a short distance (less than 30 km SE) from Great Salt Lake. The Wasatch Mountains range dominated by east Founded in 1847 by the Mormons, it has a continental climate, rather arid. It is a remarkable agricultural market. The intensely cultivated surrounding region has vast mineral deposits (gold, silver, lead, copper, coal, iron, oil). There are numerous industries: food, petrochemicals, electronics, publishing, IT. The service sector is highly developed, both in traditional activities (commerce, administration, transport and tourism) and in advanced ones (software companies, general and specialized research in the biomedical field). Railway, road and air communications junction.
