The Colorado River: Mother Nature’s Brainchild

The Colorado River in Grand Canyon: Mother Nature’s Brainchild

Home to one of the world’s most famous stretches of whitewater rapids, running via a river that passes through multiple states, amidst a backdrop of golden brown sand and cliff rock, the Colorado River has become to be known as one of Mother Nature’s masterpieces, taking millions of years to create and constantly perfecting. Even today, the unique river system inside the Grand Canyon still manages to carve new terrain into the face of the canyon.

A Product of Mother Nature

The Colorado River is also referred to as the mighty Colorado River, because it is America’s most legendary whitewater passes through the floor of this awe-inspiring canyon. Geologists believe that the Grand Canyon is actually carved out by the might of the Colorado River and its many tributaries. Because of soil erosion, almost two billion years of the world’s geologic past has been unearthed, giving important clues as to how this region existed millions of years ago.

The unique geologic features of the Grand Canyon are a product of two opposing forces: the downward force of the Colorado River and the uplifting of the Colorado Plateau. As water passes along the surface of the river, the torrents erode layers upon layers of rock to reveal a variety of truly one-of-a-kind geologic formations that signify Paleozoic and Proterozoic strata. The erosion simply carved its way deeper and deeper into the valley floor.

Photo Credit: nps.gov

On the other hand, the Colorado Plateau has slowly risen to produce a very steep stream gradient that further facilitated the flow of the water from the Colorado River by increasing its speed. This was further compounded by the overabundance of water during the Ice Age. These forces of nature have combined to create the present landscape that is now the subject of almost five million tourists every year, but only 30,000 lucky rafters in the Grand Canyon annually.

A National Park

With its very unique geological features, the Grand Canyon River system is simply one of the best natural attractions in the whole world. With its vast array of both animal and plant life that can only be found in one of its five life zones – the Upper Sonoran, the Lower Sonoran, the Canadian, the Hudsonian, and the Transition – tourists and adventurers are given a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the immensity of its ecosystem.

The Colorado River

The Grand Canyon portion of the Colorado River boasts of a wide array of river sports and recreation activities that can include smooth water float trips, to kayaking and whitewater rafting. Private trips are able to launch all year around, however commercial raft trips in Grand Canyon which are regulated by the National park, launch between April and October annually.

Photo Credit: grandcanyonhistory.clas.asu.edu

The Colorado River in Grand Canyon is home to Lava Falls, the canyon’s most fabled and largest river rapid. Rafters and paddlers alike will be tested by the whitewater maelstrom as they to maneuver their craft around Big Black Rock and make it past the famous hole, which boasts a fearsome reputation for making even the most experienced boatmen sweat. Commercial boatmen are true professionals and have a terrific success rate navigating Lava Falls. The Colorao river in Grand Canyon, unmatched in beauty and art by Mother Nature, continues to inspire people from all walks of life. Not only is it an inspiration for some, it is also an excellent source of unlimited adventure for the those who embrace the outdoors.

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