The Graveyard of the Colorado

Portage operation around a particularly bad spot in a Colorado River rapid (The Big Drop) in Cataract Canyon. Discharge at this time was approximately 65,000 CFS (image cropped, obtained from USGS Utah Water Science Center)

Portage operation around a particularly bad spot in a Colorado River rapid (The Big Drop) in Cataract Canyon. Discharge at this time was approximately 65,000 CFS (image cropped, obtained from USGS Utah Water Science Center)

The Colorado River through Cataract has always had fearsome qualities. At a time when the majority of boats running the canyon were made of wood, Cataract earned the nickname “The Graveyard of the Colorado.” The name was a credit to the canyon’s consistent ability to damage, smash, pin, and completely absorb boats.

Wrecked boat in Cataract Canyon, Unknown Rapid, Courtesy of the Utah Water Science Center, USGS

Wrecked boat in Cataract Canyon, Unknown Rapid, Courtesy of the Utah Water Science Center, USGS

In the Cataract Canyon section of the Colorado River - September 1948. Repairing bottom of a boat after it was punctured by a sharp rock. On beach just below Gypsum Canyon Rapid, Courtesy of the Utah Water Science Center, USGS

In the Cataract Canyon section of the Colorado River - September 1948. Repairing bottom of a boat after it was punctured by a sharp rock. On beach just below Gypsum Canyon Rapid, Courtesy of the Utah Water Science Center, USGS

In the later years, “Graveyard of the Colorado” would take on a completely different meaning…