You are looking into Black Canyon and a narrow,
river-like portion of Lake Mohave. To your left, about 59
miles downstream, is Davis Dam. To your right, 11 miles
upstream, is Hoover Dam. The U.S. Government built
the dams to tame the periodic flooding of the Colorado
River, provide irrigation during dry periods, and generate
electricity. The dams essentially accomplished these goals.
What effects, however, did they have on the environment?
The deeper and wider waters attracted different bird
species and altered the vegetation at the edges of Lake
Mohave and Lake Mead. The slowing of the river's flow
made water temperature more constant, reduced
sediment buildup below the dams, and disrupted the
spawning cycles and habitats of native fish species.
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