Image: Wikimedia
Until 1921, the river flowing from the Rockies to Utah's desert was called the Grand River, merging with the Green River as the Colorado.
Image: Wikimedia
Indigenous peoples have cherished the Colorado River for millennia. To the Diné, it’s the male river, meeting its female counterpart at the Little Colorado.
Image: Wikimedia
Lake Mead, formed by Hoover Dam in 1936, is the largest U.S. reservoir, holding 9.3 trillion gallons when full, east of Las Vegas.
Image: Wikimedia
The Colorado River’s extensive dams and diversions remove more water than flows in, leaving it unable to reach the sea anymore.
Image: Wikimedia
The Colorado River spans 1,450 miles, winding through 7 states and 11 national parks, shaping the landscapes of the American West.
Image: Wikimedia
The Colorado River supports diverse wildlife, from elk in alpine areas to mountain sheep and coyotes in arid regions, plus many bird species.
Image: Wikimedia
Serving 40 million people, the Colorado River powers irrigation, water supplies, and hydropower, with 75% used for agriculture.
Image: Wikimedia
The Colorado River offers rafting and kayaking thrills in spots like Westwater and Cataract Canyons, and the iconic Grand Canyon.
Image: Wikimedia
Whitewater adventures abound on the Colorado River, with rafting in Gore Canyon and scenic floats in mellower, wide sections upstream.
Image: Wikimedia
Flowing through 7 states, the Colorado River starts in the Rockies and forms part of the U.S.–Mexico border for 17 miles.
Image: Wikimedia