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Old timers Colorado River trip video collection

 Collection
Identifier: A0718

Scope and Contents

The old timers Colorado River trip video collection (1994) consists of video recordings of an expedition down the Colorado River conducted by the USGS and veteran river runners designed to document changes to the river, its geology and its ecosystem in the years after the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. This collection includes footage documenting the scientific changes along the Colorado River and in the Grand Canyon including shots of the river trip, group meetings at Northern Arizona University, and oral histories documenting the shifts and changes in rapids, beaches, flora and fauna.

Dates

  • 1994 September 09-14

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Materials must be used on-site; no use of original material, access copies will be made available for viewing. Five business days advanced notice required. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.

Historical Note

In 1994 veteran river runners joined scientists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and a group of historians and archivists on an expedition down the Colorado River. The participants discussed and compared environmental and experiential changes before and after the construction of Glen Canyon Dam and documented their findings with photographs, rephotography to document environmental impacts, and oral histories detailing past experiences on the river.

The USGS's Robert H. Webb, Theodore S. Melis, and Richard A. Valdez noted lower water temperatures, fewer sediment-laden flows, sand bar erosion, invasion of non-native tamarisk trees, reduction in driftwood, development of marshes, increase in non-native fish at the expense of native fishes, and increase in water bird populations. Additionally, they found evidence suggesting increases in the frequency of debris flows in the Grand Canyon, decreases in bat populations, and higher swallow and bighorn sheep populations. Perhaps more significantly, the observations and experiences gained from the trip and interviews help offer additional perspectives for Colorado River management. (From the Cline Library).

Extent

22 U-matic

Abstract

The old timers Colorado River trip video collection (1994) consists of video recordings of an expedition down the Colorado River designed to document changes to the river, its geology and its ecosystem in the years after the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. Representatives of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and veteran river guides were joined by historians and archivists. This collection includes footage of the river trip, group meetings at Northern Arizona University, and anecdotes by veteran river runners about past journeys and historic rapids.

Arrangement

The materials are arranged chronologically.

Related Materials

For photographs and oral histories from this expedition see the USGS Old-Timers' collection at Northern Arizona University's Cline Library Special Collections and Archives.

Processing Information

Processed by Elizabeth Shuput in 2006.

Creator

Title
Guide to the Old timers Colorado River trip video collection 1994 September 09-14
Author
Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Shuput.
Date
© 2006
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863