The Sapphire Lake In Arizona That’s Devastatingly Gorgeous
By Monica Spencer|Published March 11, 2017
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
Arizona may not be particularly well-known for its lakes and rivers but those that we do have are simply stunning. There are places where you can find crystal clear, emerald green, or even bright blue water that is refreshing and beautiful. Today, we’re going to take a look at one lake that is known for its deep blue hue.
Lake Powell sits right along the Arizona-Utah border, covering a massive portion of land in the Glen Canyon area.
A lot of controversy was stirred when the reservoir and its dam were built in the 1950s as the area was home to a wide range of cultural, historical, and natural sites typically protected. However, the dam was built and the reservoir filled with water from the Colorado River.
The lake is massive, covering 161,000 acres and reaches a depth of about 150 feet. The numbers fluxuate, however, depending on the amount of water collected each year.
You can thank science for this. According to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the sapphire blue hue comes from "a relatively clear body of water," which reflects the sky’s blue tones. When you add a deep depth that prevents light from reflecting off the lake’s bottom, then you get a blue shade like this.
One of my favorite things about Lake Powell is actually how that deep sapphire color contrasts so well with the red sandstone that creates the dramatic landscapes of northern Arizona.
Add in the bleached white areas where the water levels once reached and you’ve got a recipe for a gorgeous landscape that’s difficult to find elsewhere.
In addition to keeping our state hydrated, you’ll also find that Lake Powell is a popular recreation area. You'll find a lot of activity happening around here most of the year!
Want to check out another area in Arizona with unbelievably blue water? You can read about the milky blue-green waters of one incredible attraction in This One Destination Has The Absolute Bluest Water In Arizona. Hint: there’s nothing small about it.
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