In recent years, there have been controversy surrounding the Glen Canyon Dam as environmentalists, such as Daniel Beard former US Bureau of Reclamation commissioner, call for its destruction and the draining of its reservoir the Lake Powell. Although some people believe that destroying the dam would be catastrophic as it is the major supply of water from Colorado to Utah, the number of people clamoring for its destruction have increased outrageously as the dam is in danger of being shut down and destroyed. Although there are people who believe that the Glen Canyon dam has done more harm than good since it was built in 1966, other people – with the inclusion of myself - are still of the opinion that the dam is still very useful and should not …show more content…
After its completion in 1966, the dam began to deliver a regulated flow of water downstream and a supply of electricity to the region. Its destruction might lead to water shortages in those regions which would in turn lead to problems with electricity. However, those opposed to this issue argue that the dam is no longer a reliable source of water and there are other ways to get the power the dam provides. While it is true that the power can be gotten elsewhere, it would cost time and more money to provide an alternate source of power. Asides the power benefits the dam provides, the lake supplies water which is a major influence on the growth on agriculture. In John Keith’s article “Energy and Agriculture in Utah: Responses to Water Shortages”, he gives a brief insight on the importance of the Glen Canyon Dam and its influence on the growth of agriculture in Utah. Keith writes …show more content…
Results appear to indicate that, at least in the near term, other impediments to large scale energy development are more important than water availability in the Upper Colorado and Great Basin regions even under drought conditions” (Keith). Although Keith claims that water shortage is not much of a problem as energy development, he, however, states that the dam is a major influence in energy development in the Upper Colorado and Great Basin regions which includes Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. According to Keith, water quantity has a huge impact on agriculture and since the dam is a major supply of water to the Upper Basin regions, destroying the dam would be