River Running

Action, daring, history, and memory converged in 1994 in the Grand Canyon when veteran river runners joined scientists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and a group of historians and archivists on an adventure down the Colorado River. The voyage called for the group to discuss and compare environmental and experiential changes before and after the construction of Glen Canyon Dam. Chronicled with photographs of the excursion, rephotography to document environmental impacts, and oral histories to capture anecdotal tales of past exploits, the USGS Old-Timers' Collection helps make the archives a particularly strong resource on the Colorado River and Grand Canyon.

(Photo on left) Lois Jotter Cutter being interviewed by Lew Steiger, Jeff Robertson, and Karen across from Blacktail Canyon, and (photo on right) Bob Webb leading a discussion of changes to Crystal Rapid, left to right: Kathy Lampros, Kenton Grua, Lew Steiger, Jeff Robertson, Karen, Bob Webb, Kent Frost, Lois Jotter Cutter, Roy Webb, Sandy Reiff, Alistair Bleifuss, Shirley Marston.


Robert H. Webb, Theodore S. Melis, and Richard A. Valdez of the USGS combined the information they gathered from the trip with scientific data and research gleened from diaries and other historical material to arrive at several conclusions concerning environmental change in the Colorado River corridor in the Grand Canyon. They noted lower water temperatures, fewer sediment-laden flows, sand bar erosion, invasion of non-native tamarisk trees, reduction in driftwood, development of marshes, increase in non-native fish at the expense of native fishes, and increase in water bird populations. Additionally, they found evidence suggesting increases in the frequency of debris flows in the Grand Canyon, decreases in bat populations, and higher swallow and bighorn sheep populations. Perhaps more significantly, the observations and experiences gained from the trip and interviews help offer additional perspectives for Colorado River management.

Bob Webb and Gene Shoemaker at Badger Rapid.


The collection also offers colorful and personal stories. The list of trip attendees includes several of the first 100 rivers runners through the Grand Canyon, as well as one prominent scientist. Listen to Lois J. Cutter, one of the first women of record to successfully run the Grand Canyon, tell the thrilling story of diving into the river to recover a lost Mexican Hat boat. Hear Kent Frost regale and revile with stories of eating beaver and making the most out of the small game at the edge of the river. Or revel in the astrological tangents of Eugene Shoemaker.

Kenton Grua rowing his dory "Grand Canyon" through North Canyon Rapid, with Diane Boyer riding the bow followed by Joan Nevills Stavely in the bow, and Garth and Shirley Marston in the stern.


Experience more of these stories in the Colorado Plateau Archives and get a sense of how both the Grand Canyon changed and how it changed people's lives. Or visit the Special Collections to see and listen to materials in person, and learn more about oral histories and how archivists help preserve memories.


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