150th Anniversary of the 1869 Powell Expedition
Welcome to the Powell150 education and outreach site!
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.
The 150th anniversary of the 1869 Powell expedition—USGS participation in the Sesquicentennial Colorado River Exploring Expedition and reflections from the ~1,000-mile journey down the Green and Colorado Rivers
Status and trends of the Grand Canyon population of Humpback Chub
The United States Geological Survey: 1879-1989
John Wesley Powell's exploration of the Colorado River
John Wesley Powell: soldier, explorer, scientist
The Colorado River region and John Wesley Powell
John Wesley Powell and the anthropology of the Canyon Country
John Wesley Powell: Pioneer statesman of federal science: Chapter A in The Colorado River region and John Wesley Powell (Professional Paper 669)
The rapids and the pools - Grand Canyon: Chapter D in The Colorado River region and John Wesley Powell (Professional Paper 669)
Stratified rocks of the Grand Canyon: Chapter B in The Colorado River region and John Wesley Powell (Professional Paper 669)
Related Content
- Multimedia
Portraits of John Wesley PowellPortraits of John Wesley PowellPortraits of John Wesley PowellMaps of John Wesley Powell's JourneyMaps of John Wesley Powell's JourneyMaps of John Wesley Powell's JourneyJohn 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, ArizonaBoats 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, 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 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.
- Publications
The 150th anniversary of the 1869 Powell expedition—USGS participation in the Sesquicentennial Colorado River Exploring Expedition and reflections from the ~1,000-mile journey down the Green and Colorado Rivers
In 1869, John Wesley Powell completed the first well-recorded scientific river journey to explore an extensive region of the Colorado River Basin. Powell later helped to establish the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and served as its second director (1881–94), cementing his position in the folklore of the Survey. In 2019, the USGS marked the 150th anniversary of Powell’s first expedition with a broaAuthorsAnnie Scott, Eleanour SnowStatus and trends of the Grand Canyon population of Humpback Chub
The Colorado River Basin supports one of the most distinctive fish communities in North America, including the federally endangered humpback chub (Gila cypha). One of only six remaining populations of this fish is found in Grand Canyon, Arizona. U.S. Geological Survey scientists and their cooperators are responsible for monitoring the Grand Canyon population. Analysis of recently collected data inAuthorsMatthew E. AndersenThe United States Geological Survey: 1879-1989
The United States Geological Survey was established on March 3, 1879, just a few hours before the mandatory close of the final session of the 45th Congress, when President Rutherford B. Hayes signed the bill appropriating money for sundry civil expenses of the Federal Government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1879. The sundry civil expenses bill included a brief section establishing a new aAuthorsMary C. RabbittJohn Wesley Powell's exploration of the Colorado River
No abstract available.AuthorsMary C. RabbittJohn Wesley Powell: soldier, explorer, scientist
One hundred years ago John Wesley Powell and nine adventure-seeking companions completed the first exploration of the dangerous and almost uncharted canyons of the Green and Colorado Rivers. By this trip, Powell, a 35-year old teacher of natural history, apparently unhampered by the lack of his right forearm (amputated after the Battle of Shiloh) opened up a large unknown part of continental UniteAuthorsThe Colorado River region and John Wesley Powell
A century ago John Wesley Powell-teacher, scientist, and veteran of the Civil War-set out to explore the unknown reaches of the Colorado River. He emerged from the forbidding canyons with a compelling interest in the nature of the western lands and how they could be developed for the greatest benefit to the Nation. A man gifted with imagination, yet always tempered by the scientist's appreciationAuthorsMary C. Rabbitt, Edwin D. McKee, Charles B. Hunt, Luna Bergere LeopoldJohn Wesley Powell and the anthropology of the Canyon Country
No abstract available.AuthorsDon D. Fowler, Robert C. Euler, Catherine S. FowlerJohn Wesley Powell: Pioneer statesman of federal science: Chapter A in The Colorado River region and John Wesley Powell (Professional Paper 669)
In the middle decades of the 19th century, American science matured rather rapidly. The general scholar with an interest in natural history gave place to the specialist in a particular science, and the various sciences themselves became distinct from each other and from the general body of knowledge. The geological sciences made especially rapid progress in America because of the opportunity and tAuthorsMary C. RabbittThe rapids and the pools - Grand Canyon: Chapter D in The Colorado River region and John Wesley Powell (Professional Paper 669)
Through the Grand Canyon the Colorado drops in elevation about 2,200 feet in 280 miles; most of this drop occurs in rapids that account for only 10 percent of the distance. Despite the importance of rapids, there are no waterfalls. Depth measurements made at 1/10-mile intervals show that the bed profile is highly irregular, but the apparent randomness masks an organized alternation of deeps and shAuthorsLuna Bergere LeopoldStratified rocks of the Grand Canyon: Chapter B in The Colorado River region and John Wesley Powell (Professional Paper 669)
The record of the earth's history in the walls of the Grand Canyon has been deciphered through hard work by many people during the past 100 years. Much still remains unsolved. John Wesley Powell's contributions were of a pioneering type, though he was not the first to discuss the rocks of the Grand Canyon. Far more important than his own observations and deductions in the field of stratigraphic geAuthorsEdwin D. McKee