A kayaker approaches Cathedral in the Desert as water levels begin to decline in 2003. © Pete Lavigne

Cathedral in the Desert: A Natural Marvel Reappears

After 40 years of submersion, Cathedral in the Desert's beauty can once again be admired and revered. Recent photos illustrate the degree to which water levels in Glen Canyon have dropped in recent years, providing a perfect opportunity to reconsider the Glen Canyon Dam...

Sometimes described as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," Cathedral in the Desert is a truly inspiring, moving and breathtaking marvel to behold. Located on the Escalante River up Clear Creek, admirers of this famous and amazing side canyon of Glen Canyon gaze at an abundance of ferns and mosses, a majestic waterfall and immense walls of sandstone that stretch toward the heavens.

As described by the late David Brower, founder of Earth Island Institute and former director of the Sierra Club, "Everywhere you looked you knew what a setting meant to a place. And in the Cathedral, whether you looked up at evening or in the morning at this miracle of color and design, or whether you looked at the gardens by the altar or the stream that flowed from the nave, you knew what this place meant."

March 2005: The whole chamber is visible for the first time since the 1960s. ©Rich Ingebretsen;

However, this incredible place has not always been able to be adored by visitors. Beginning in 1966, it was flooded and its beauty was submerged beneath the waters of Lake Powell reservoir for roughly 40 years. Today, due in part to the drought in the West, the chamber has reappeared and the invitation to enjoy its beauty has once again been restored. It is estimated that the Cathedral will be completely free from water by the end of April, 2005, although it is expected to be flooded with approximately 30-50 feet of water starting in May, 2005.

March 2005: Visitors enjoy their opportunity to experience the newly emerged Cathedral. ©Rich Ingebretsen

The preservation and protection of Cathedral in the Desert is necessary to ensure that future generations may experience the feelings of reverence and sacredness its magnificence invokes. The Glen Canyon Dam, now deemed counterproductive, unnecessary and environmentally destructive, not only flooded the great Glen Canyon, but caused damage to plant and wildlife species. Due to a huge accumulation of sediment, the dam will ultimately be useless for power generation, flood control or recreation. Hydrologic data suggests that Lake Powell will never again refill completely, which means that this reservoir was only useful for a very short time. Since Lake Mead has the capacity to store water from Lake Powell, the repeated flooding of the Cathedral is considered unnecessary by many who are dedicated to the restoration of Glen Canyon. To find out more about how you can help keep this sacred structure free of flood water and therefore open for admiration, please visit the Cathedral in the Desert Information Site and/or the Glen Canyon Institute.