150th Anniversary of the 1869 Powell Expedition
Welcome to the Powell150 education and outreach site!
2019 Expedition, Then and Now
For information about the 1869 and 2019 Colorado River Exploring Expeditions, follow this link.
USGS Science Today
To learn more about the science USGS is doing today, including experiments along the route, click here.
Lessons and Activities
For lessons and activities that are related to rivers and John Wesley Powell, click here.
The USGS continues to do important science along this river system today, and to contribute information to decision-makers who are working to manage the river basin as a resource for water, recreation, and power in Western states. The focus of the education and outreach efforts surrounding the Powell150 Expedition is to inform and engage the public around the geology and ecology of rivers in general and this river system in particular and to raise public awareness of the natural resources of the Colorado River Basin and USGS science.
While the USGS marked this occasion as an opportunity to highlight the science of the Colorado River Basin, it’s important to note that indigenous people have inhabited the area for over 15,000 years, and tribes in the 19th century had a great deal of knowledge about the river and ecosystems of their homeland. Western migration by white settlers brought conflict and devastating consequences to Native peoples and their natural and cultural resources. In acknowledgment of this, we listened to Native American perspectives on river science, including traditional cultural practices, during community outreach events and discussions throughout the expedition.
Related Content
John Wesley Powell Monument. Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 1968.
John Wesley Powell Monument. Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 1968.
Typed information on back of photograph: Marble Canyon, Colorado River, Utah. 1872. Side view of Major Powell's boat, the Emma Dean. Note: This photo shows clearly the two life preservers attached to sides of Major Powell's chair.
Typed information on back of photograph: Marble Canyon, Colorado River, Utah. 1872. Side view of Major Powell's boat, the Emma Dean. Note: This photo shows clearly the two life preservers attached to sides of Major Powell's chair.
Green River, about 1/2 mile below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, showing boats soon after they had been run down from unloading at bridge. River flows to the left. 1871. Handwritten notes on back of duplicate photograph: Our Boats, 1871, at Green River, Wyoming.
Green River, about 1/2 mile below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, showing boats soon after they had been run down from unloading at bridge. River flows to the left. 1871. Handwritten notes on back of duplicate photograph: Our Boats, 1871, at Green River, Wyoming.
The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition. Shown from left to right are: Professor Almon Harris Thompson, Andrew Hattan, S.V. Jones, John F. Steward, W.C. Powell, Frank C.A. Richardson, Frederick Dellenbaugh, and F.M. Bishop. Green River, Wyoming. May 4, 1871.
The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition. Shown from left to right are: Professor Almon Harris Thompson, Andrew Hattan, S.V. Jones, John F. Steward, W.C. Powell, Frank C.A. Richardson, Frederick Dellenbaugh, and F.M. Bishop. Green River, Wyoming. May 4, 1871.
Left bank of Green River. Boats of Powell's Second Expedition, before the start of the journey. The boats are "Canonita," "Emma Dean," and "Nellie Powell." Just below the Union Pacific Railroad bridge at Green River Station. The famous eleven of the Powell party were Andy Hattan, W. Clement Powell, S.V. Jones, Major John W. Powell, Frederick S.
Left bank of Green River. Boats of Powell's Second Expedition, before the start of the journey. The boats are "Canonita," "Emma Dean," and "Nellie Powell." Just below the Union Pacific Railroad bridge at Green River Station. The famous eleven of the Powell party were Andy Hattan, W. Clement Powell, S.V. Jones, Major John W. Powell, Frederick S.
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation, Green River. The three boats are anchored near shore on left side. Utah. August 11, 1871.
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation, Green River. The three boats are anchored near shore on left side. Utah. August 11, 1871.
Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian, northern Arizona Survey, Arizona. circa 1869.
Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian, northern Arizona Survey, Arizona. circa 1869.
Painting by Henry C. Pitz showing John Wesley Powell and his party going through the Grand Canyon, presumably during the historic 1869 Colorado River expedition. The 1869 expedition gave to Powell and his party the distinction of being the first to travel the entire distance of the Colorado River, a remarkable feat that many had formerly believed impossible.
Painting by Henry C. Pitz showing John Wesley Powell and his party going through the Grand Canyon, presumably during the historic 1869 Colorado River expedition. The 1869 expedition gave to Powell and his party the distinction of being the first to travel the entire distance of the Colorado River, a remarkable feat that many had formerly believed impossible.
Related Content
- Multimedia
Portraits of John Wesley Powell
Maps of John Wesley Powell's Journey
John Wesley Powell Monument
John Wesley Powell Monument. Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 1968.
John Wesley Powell Monument. Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 1968.
Boats in Colorado River, Marble Canyon, Coconino County, ArizonaTyped information on back of photograph: Marble Canyon, Colorado River, Utah. 1872. Side view of Major Powell's boat, the Emma Dean. Note: This photo shows clearly the two life preservers attached to sides of Major Powell's chair.
Typed information on back of photograph: Marble Canyon, Colorado River, Utah. 1872. Side view of Major Powell's boat, the Emma Dean. Note: This photo shows clearly the two life preservers attached to sides of Major Powell's chair.
Green River, below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, UtahGreen River, about 1/2 mile below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, showing boats soon after they had been run down from unloading at bridge. River flows to the left. 1871. Handwritten notes on back of duplicate photograph: Our Boats, 1871, at Green River, Wyoming.
Green River, about 1/2 mile below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, showing boats soon after they had been run down from unloading at bridge. River flows to the left. 1871. Handwritten notes on back of duplicate photograph: Our Boats, 1871, at Green River, Wyoming.
The first camp of Powell's Second ExpeditionThe first camp of Powell's Second Expedition. Shown from left to right are: Professor Almon Harris Thompson, Andrew Hattan, S.V. Jones, John F. Steward, W.C. Powell, Frank C.A. Richardson, Frederick Dellenbaugh, and F.M. Bishop. Green River, Wyoming. May 4, 1871.
The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition. Shown from left to right are: Professor Almon Harris Thompson, Andrew Hattan, S.V. Jones, John F. Steward, W.C. Powell, Frank C.A. Richardson, Frederick Dellenbaugh, and F.M. Bishop. Green River, Wyoming. May 4, 1871.
Boats of Powell's Second ExpeditionLeft bank of Green River. Boats of Powell's Second Expedition, before the start of the journey. The boats are "Canonita," "Emma Dean," and "Nellie Powell." Just below the Union Pacific Railroad bridge at Green River Station. The famous eleven of the Powell party were Andy Hattan, W. Clement Powell, S.V. Jones, Major John W. Powell, Frederick S.
Left bank of Green River. Boats of Powell's Second Expedition, before the start of the journey. The boats are "Canonita," "Emma Dean," and "Nellie Powell." Just below the Union Pacific Railroad bridge at Green River Station. The famous eleven of the Powell party were Andy Hattan, W. Clement Powell, S.V. Jones, Major John W. Powell, Frederick S.
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of DesolationLighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation, Green River. The three boats are anchored near shore on left side. Utah. August 11, 1871.
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation, Green River. The three boats are anchored near shore on left side. Utah. August 11, 1871.
Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute IndianMajor John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian, northern Arizona Survey, Arizona. circa 1869.
Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian, northern Arizona Survey, Arizona. circa 1869.
John Wesley Powell and party in the Grand CanyonPainting by Henry C. Pitz showing John Wesley Powell and his party going through the Grand Canyon, presumably during the historic 1869 Colorado River expedition. The 1869 expedition gave to Powell and his party the distinction of being the first to travel the entire distance of the Colorado River, a remarkable feat that many had formerly believed impossible.
Painting by Henry C. Pitz showing John Wesley Powell and his party going through the Grand Canyon, presumably during the historic 1869 Colorado River expedition. The 1869 expedition gave to Powell and his party the distinction of being the first to travel the entire distance of the Colorado River, a remarkable feat that many had formerly believed impossible.
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