Glen Canyon National Recreation area

Arizona, Utah

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area preserves and protects 1.2 million acres of the Colorado Plateau, a vast landscape of colorful buttes, mesas, canyons, and cliffs. Arid to semi-arid, the region supports a complex and often fragile ecosystem. Plants and wildlife have developed unique adaptations to the hot, arid conditions of their environment and contribute to the rich diversity of life in the area. Typical of the Colorado Plateau, the highly diverse vegetation of Glen Canyon forms different communities that create important habitat for a diverse range of animals including amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates.

Wildlife in Glen Canyon is a reflection of the Colorado Plateau, changes in land use, and environmental factors. The creation of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963 radically changed the surrounding environment by creating Lake Powell, which spans 13% of Glen Canyon and is the second largest reservoir in the United States. Over 300 species of birds have been documented in the area, a diversity of species that was unknown prior to construction of the dam that can be attributed to the colonization of Lake Powell by aquatic birds and migratory birds. In addition to playing vital roles in the desert ecosystem and animal communities, wildlife also provides outstanding recreational opportunities including sport fishing and bird watching.