The Colorado River runoff for this year has peaked and the water levels of Powell reservoir are on their way back down. As of June 29th, the elevation of the reservoir was 3586.28. Based upon the rate the reservoir dropped last year (about 1 foot/week), it looks like the floor of Cathedral in the Desert will be dry (or at least above the reservoir level) in early 2005. This is truly exciting for so many of us. In anticipation of this historic event, we have created a web page so that you and your friends can learn more about this wondrous place, how to get there, events celebrating its return and what you can do to prevent it from going back under the dark waters of the reservoir. Check out: www.cathedralinthedesert.org .

We are also excited to welcome the latest addition to the GCI staff: Ericka Wells. As our new Outreach & Development Director, she came to the institute from Boulder, Colorado and we are glad to have her. You can find out a little more about her on our Staff and Volunteers page: http://www.glencanyon.org/aboutgci/staff.htm .

We had another successful field trip into the restoring side canyons of the Glen with a handful of ambitious supporters. Under a white desert sun, we ventured into the cool, wet canyons of Fifty Mile Creek and Davis Gulch. The narrows of Fifty Mile Creek which were under the reservoir waters only a few years ago were remarkable. Recent floods had cleaned most of the sediment deposits out of the narrows and even revealed a new little waterfall. Davis Gulch was equally as breathtaking with the once-flooded LaGorce Arch standing majestically high and dry in tight meanders of Davis Creek. Some photos from the trip are available to view at http://www.glencanyon.org/gcift/ . There are also some new photos up on the site from other trips earlier this spring. We have a number of enticing field trip opportunities coming up this fall, which is arguably the best season to visit the canyon country. Check our website for details.

Last week, you likely noticed the announcement of Katie Lee's new book, "Sandstone Seduction", as finally being available through GCI. Yes it's true-go to our website to order your copy today. There are also a couple of other great new books with Glen Canyon-related chapters that I recommend. The first is called, "Where the Rain Children Sleep" by Michael Engelhard (The Lyons Press) with a chapter about Colorado River endangered native fish species. The other new book you should check out is Chip Ward's latest-"Hope's Horizon" (Island Press), with a chapter about the very same visionary movement you and I support, as well as a bit about GCI's own Richard Ingebretsen. Enjoy!

For those of you whose GCI membership expired at the end of June, please send in the renewal letters you should have gotten over the last few weeks. If you didn't receive one, feel free to call us and we can take care of it. Also, just a quick reminder about the ongoing Glen Canyon Photo/Video Contest. We've gotten some great entries of photos from the region (both pre-Powell and post-Powell), but we need more! Help us document the changes in the canyon and earn a shot at winning the GCI Gift Package. Send entries to: GCI Contest, 450 S. 900 E. #160, SLC, UT 84102.

Check out some of the fantastic continuing media coverage of the movement to restore Glen Canyon below. Also, please notice the GCI Wishlist and keep your eyes peeled for a boat(?).

For the River,

Christopher Peterson
Executive Director

******************GCI WISHLIST*********************

In preparation for the upcoming return of Cathedral in the Desert and the hundreds of other wonderful side canyons of the Glen, Glen Canyon Institute is looking fervently for a motor boat-that's right, to navigate the shrinking reaches of the reservoir. As the side canyons open up, GCI is planning to conduct a number of cleanup trips into the canyons with supporters of the Glen. As part of the GCI Field Trips program, we would like to conduct service project trips to help de-junk the canyons. We are preferably looking for at least an 18-foot boat with a sufficient motor (preferably 4-stroke) to get around. If anyone owns a boat and wants to donate it to the institute for our noble purposes (and to get the hefty tax-benefit), please contact Chris @ 801.363.4450.

*******************NEWS LINKS*********************

A free market in water; Secretary Norton's indolent response is hardly adequate
June 08, 2004 Editorial Las Vegas Review-Journal
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jun-08-Tue-2004/opinion/24038636.html

The Grand Canyon is ailing, but panel can't agree on a prescription- Napa Valley Register - Napa,CA
Thursday, June 10, 2004 By SETH HETTENA Associated Press Writer
More media attention on the destruction of the Grand Canyon
http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template=story_full&id=D05B7651-148D-4A35-917A-2CD4D98D8802

As dams fall, a chance for redemption- High Country News
June 22, 2004 By Daniel McCool Ph.D
Visits to three Western dams - California's doomed Matilija Dam, the unfinished Elk Creek Dam in Oregon, and the Southwest's giant Glen Canyon Dam - lead the author to consider the fact that sooner or later, every dam crumbles.
Read the Article

WWF: Dam Building Threatens World Rivers-Reuters, Johannesburg, South Africa June 22, 2004 By Ed Stoddard
Dam building poses a serious threat to some of the world's largest rivers, WWF International said in a report released on Tuesday.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=JUDEI3SE5CCMGCRBAE0CFEY?type=scienceNews&storyID=5477634