River Activists to Float New, Free-Flowing Section of Colorado River

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22nd, 2016

CONTACT: Eric Balken (801) 631-2774  eric@glencanyon.org

River Activists to Float New, Free-Flowing Section of Colorado River through Glen Canyon Saturday

On Saturday, April 23^rd, a group of 100 river restoration activists will float a new, free-flowing section of Colorado River from the boat ramp at Hite, UT to Farley Canyon on what was once inundated 50 feet under Lake Powell. The river float and party to take place after are a celebration of Glen Canyon Institute’s 20^th Anniversary.

The celebration will include speakers such as environmental activist Ken Sleight, on whom the Character Seldom Seen Smith was based in Ed Abbey’s The Monkey Wrench Gang, as well as Save the Colorado’s Gary Wockner, and Glen Canyon Institute President Richard Ingebretsen.

“The thought of seeing the Colorado River flow through Glen Canyon again has been a dream for many, and today we’re seeing that dream come true”, says GCI’s Richard Ingebretsen. “Although it’s only a small portion of the canyon, we’re doing what was once considered impossible”.

“As water shortage and climate change continue to bring down Lake Powell, river runners everywhere are awaiting the day when they can float all of Glen Canyon”, says GCI Executive Director Eric Balken. “Climate models are showing that the reservoir will likely never fill again, and there’s a good chance we’ll get to float the entire river through Glen Canyon one day”.

More information on this event can be found on GCI’s website at www.glencanyon.org. The event is free and open to the public.

Visit the Glen Canyon Institute website for more information on the Fill Mead First plan.

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Glen Canyon Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring Glen Canyon, Grand Canyon, and a free-flowing Colorado River.

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