(Photo by Elliot Ross)
Mike DeHoff is the Principal Investigator at Returning Rapids Project, a one-of-a-kind initiative that is documenting the recovery of the Colorado River in Cataract Canyon, upper Glen Canyon, and along the San Juan. Back in 1963, the construction of Glen Canyon Dam created Lake Powell, which submerged many of the area’s canyons– turning what were once wild stretches of the Colorado into flat water. Today, the southwest’s ongoing historic drought has caused Lake Powell’s water levels to to drop significantly, revealing historic rapids, recently hidden geologic features, and riparian ecosystems that had been deep underwater for nearly fifty years.
Returning Rapids began as a personal project for Mike and three of his river-loving friends– Meg Flynn, Peter Lefebvre, and Chris Benson. They began to notice changes in the river created by Lake Powell’s receding waters and started documenting those changes and using historic photographs and documents to better understand the reemerging landscape. Over the years, their work caught the attention of universities, academics, scientists, and government agencies, all of whom were fascinated by what was being discovered deep in those canyons. Fast forward to today, and their work is not only enabling cutting-edge research but also capturing the attention of bigtime media outlets, including a recent feature in Rolling Stone.
Mike connected with me virtually from his home base in Moab, Utah, and we had a fascinating discussion about the Colorado River, Lake Powell, and the history of the Returning Rapids project. We started out with a brief history lesson on the drought’s effect on the Colorado River, then we dug into issues such as the mind-blowing amount of sediment created by Glen Canyon Dam. We discussed when Mike and his partners realized that their personal project was capturing the attention of the public, the challenges of garnering attention for lesser-known places like Cataract Canyon, and the idea of combining Lake Powell and Lake Mead. We also talk a lot about Mike’s personal journey with this project, and how his willingness to follow his curiosity, partner with very smart people, take risks, and work extremely hard has had a significant scientific impact. We also discuss books, his mentors, his desire to learn from everyone he meets, and much more.
A huge thanks to Mike, Meg, Peter, and Chris for their important work, and for providing such a solid example for all of us who feel drawn to make a difference here in the American West. You can support Returning Rapids
Header photo by Travis Custer, photo of Mike and Meg by Elliot Ross, team photo by Cody Cobb
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EPISODE PARTNER:
This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation.
To whom much is given, much is expected. This value guides the philosophy behind the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation today.
Committed to its cause and infused with an entrepreneurial spirit, Mighty Arrow aims to invest in solutions that take action on climate change to build a more vibrant future, repair relationships from farm to market to table, heal our connection to the lands and waters we call home, and demand a more just and equitable society.
To learn more about Mighty Arrow’s forward-thinking, optimistic, and visionary work here in the American West and beyond, please visit www.mightyarrow.org.
RESOURCES:
Topics Discussed:
- 3:30 – The drought of the early 2000s and how it started a 20+ year journey for Mike
- 16:30 – How an entire land mass of Colorado River sediment can be created with no one claiming management or responsibility of it
- 21:30 – When Mike’s project shifted from a personal interest to an interest of the public
- 26:15 – The surprising rate that Lake Powell and Cataract Canyon are capable of recovering
- 34:30 – How Mike garners attention for lesser-known but important places like Cataract Canyon
- 37:15 – Discussing the idea of combining Lake Powell and Lake Meade
- 44:15 – Mike’s advice for people wanting to do something similar to he and his team
- 47:30 – Mike’s powerful appreciation for the people he meets, and his mentors and heroes
- 50:30 – Mike’s book recommendations
- 53:45 – Mike’s parting words of wisdom
Information Referenced:
- The Returning Rapids Project
- The Returning Rapids Project: Good News From the Beleaguered Colorado River
- Cataract Canyon
- Peter Lefebvre
- Meg Flynn
- Les Jones
- Mike DeHoff’s online presentation
- Encounters With Archdruid by John McPhee
- David Brower
- Floyd Dominy
- Chris Benson
- Scott Hynek
- Cari Johnson
- Mighty Arrow Family Foundation
- The Interim Guidelines
- Where the Water Goes by David Owen
- Brenda Bowen
- 1491 by Charles C. Mann
- Deadrun by Dan Schultz
- Desert Notes and River Notes by Barry Lopez
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- Chandra Brown, Part 2 – Teaching & Learning in the West’s Wildest Landscapes
- Lorelei Cloud – Solving Modern-Day Challenges with Ancient Tribal Wisdom
- Doug Peacock – 50 Years of Fighting for the Grizzlies
- Dylan Tomine – Protecting What He Loves
Visit the podcast page for a full list of episodes where you can filter episodes by topic and guests’ vocations.
