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L76 The Rainbow Bridge, Lake Powell, Utah, USA.
Position:
N37° 7'
W110° 55'
Image format:
35mm
THE RAINBOW BRIDGE, LAKE POWELL, UTAH, USA.
Rainbow Bridge is a gem in an already glittering landscape. The
span is 275'/84m. The arch is 290'/88m above ground at its highest
point. The top is 42'13m thick and 33'10m wide. Rainbow Bridge
is a superb example of a Natural Bridge and has been formed by
a river eroding through an incised meander core just like that
featured in Image L2 at Natural Bridges National Monument further east in Utah.
Sacred to no less than five Native American Nations - the Navajo,
Hopi, San Juan, Kaibab Paiute and Southern Paiute, Rainbow Bridge
has been the center of controversy ever since it was first publicized
to the outside world in 1909. By 1910 it was created a National
Monument by President William Howard Taft and was featured in
the writings of conservationist President Theodore Roosevelt.
With the flooding of Lake Powell by the construction of the Glen
Canyon Dam the Native American Nations were concerned that their
sacred site would be under increasing pressure from more and more
disrespectful visitors. There was particular concern about people
walking beneath the arch - which was considered taboo.
Less detail
Image Trail:
L2, L37, L38, L39, H39.
Links:
Much more information about the Rainbow Bridge can be found at
: http://www.desertusa.com/gc/rainbow/rainbow.html
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