Conclusion

The Glen Canyon Dam and the reservoir it created, Lake Powell, will continue to be vitally important to the West's economy as well as subjects of controversy in the years to come. The Colorado River, already stretched beyond its capacity, will be subject to even more demands. And as our climate changes, the region it serves is expected to grow hotter and drier. Already Lakes Powell and Mead are only about half full, and may never reach capacity again. What will the future bring? Will Lake Powell "silt in," or will the dam eventually fail? Will we decide to live within the limits that nature has set, or will we continue to bend resources to our will?