Why is River Recreation Included in the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program (AMP)?
Glen Canyon Dam has changed the downstream river ecosystem and therefore the visitor experience in the Canyon. Upon construction of the dam, the regulation of river flows that generally benefited river running also decreased the sediment flow into the canyon. Preservation of the remaining sediment is not only crucial to the restoration of native river habitat, it is necessary to maintain dozens of camping beaches used by the river running community. • The Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 requires that operation of Glen Canyon Dam will, among other directives, benefit visitor use of the river below the dam. • The Adaptive Management Program incorporates goals for river recreation needs, including conservation of many popular beaches throughout Grand Canyon. • The magnitude of daily flow fluctuations can make river running difficult at times and affects the number, size and location of camping beaches. • Large periodic “flood” releases from the dam improve navigability of rapids by cl
