Definition

Proper noun: - A large artificial reservoir in the southwestern United States: Lake Powell is the second largest human-made reservoir in the United States by maximum water capacity. It is located on the Colorado River, straddling the border between southern Utah and northern Arizona. It was created by the impoundment of the Colorado River by Glen Canyon Dam.

Usage

• Lake Powell is primarily discussed as a geographical feature, a water storage facility, and a recreational area.
• It is used with the definite article "the" when referring to the lake itself in a specific context (e.g., ), but often appears without an article when treated as a proper name (e.g., ).

Examples

• As a geographical location:
  • Lake Powell is a major tourist destination for boating and fishing.
  • The stark contrast between the red rock cliffs and the blue water of Lake Powell is breathtaking.
• In the context of water management and drought:
  • Declining water levels in Lake Powell have raised concerns about hydropower generation.
  • The management of Lake Powell is critical for water supply in the Lower Colorado River Basin.

Advanced Usage

• "Lake Powell's bathtub ring": This phrase refers to the visible, light-colored mineral stain on the canyon walls, marking the previous high water level of the reservoir. It serves as a stark indicator of drought and water loss.
  • The expanding bathtub ring around Lake Powell illustrates the severity of the long-term drought.

Variants and Related Words

• Glen Canyon Dam (proper noun): The concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River that creates Lake Powell.
• Reservoir (noun): A large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply. Lake Powell is an example of a reservoir.
• Colorado River Storage Project (proper noun): The federal water management project of which Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell are a key part.

Synonyms

• Reservoir: A synonym for the type of water body Lake Powell is, though not a proper name substitute.
• Impoundment: A technical term for a body of water confined by a dam.

Related Phrases

• To fill Lake Powell: Refers to the historical process of filling the reservoir after the dam's completion or to discussions about its water levels.
  • It took nearly 17 years to fill Lake Powell after Glen Canyon Dam was closed.
• Lake Powell pipeline: Refers to a proposed (and controversial) water conveyance project to transport water from the reservoir to other regions.
  • The Lake Powell pipeline project has been debated for years.

Notes on Meaning

Lake Powell is defined almost exclusively by its identity as a specific, named reservoir. Its significance extends beyond mere geography into areas of recreation, water resource management, hydropower, and environmental policy, often serving as a symbol for debates over water use in the arid American Southwest.

Noun

1. the second largest reservoir in the United States; located in southern Utah and north central Arizona and formed by the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River