Mister Joyce's other Writings | Before Changes 09-16-26

Saving Lake Powell

A host of articles and videos online spell out in detail the disastrous consequences we could soon face from our own neglect of the Colorado River. The impending crisis could have major implications for California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and other individual states as well, not to mention the overall nationwide impact which this may cause to agriculture and industry, and likewise to our military, which has a major presence in that area.  

I shall not try to outdo the authors of those postings in terms of their ability to put forth a clear statement of what must be done and why we must do it quickly. Suffice it to say that if we do not act swiftly, the main source of water for up to 40 million people, and of electric power (hydroelectric power) for up to 13 million of them, will be placed in jeopardy, and quite soon.  

Such articles and videos are easily searched online, and I direct those who would follow this issue more closely to do a quick internet search to find those postings for a look at the full details. What brings me to write separately today is the thought that in addressing the water crisis, we may be able to kill two birds with one stone; and apparently, we have completely overlooked this possibility so far. 

Let us start our investigation with a look at Lake Powell.1 The lake is formed by Glen Canyon Dam, located where the Colorado River crosses the Arizona/Utah border. Lake Powell is America’s second-largest reservoir. Its main branch is 185 miles long.2 It lies just upstream from the Grand Canyon, which the Colorado River runs through.

If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of this lake before, just look at a map. It is not too far from the Grand Canyon, though it is not exactly close to it. Similarly, it is not too far from Las Vegas, though it is not exactly near Vegas, either. Likewise, it is not too far from magnificent Monument Valley,3 though it is not really close to there as well.  

In addition, no Interstate Highway comes near it, for it is not on the way to or from anything at all. In fact, the only U.S. Highway which services it is really a branch of the real highway itself (U.S. Hwy 89A, a branch of Hwy 89). 
You get the picture. In other words, it is out in the middle of just absolutely nowhere, and that is exactly what has protected it from being overrun and built up into a sprawling megatourist hub so far. Those who do know about this secret lake hold it precious and dear in their hearts. Just look at the pictures and you’ll know why: https://www.google.com/search?lr=&sca_esv=0761de662a08acf0&sxsrf=APpeQnsBxcG9L_ZGoz2N8x3A_eHwp2Fbxg:1789458304097&udm=2&fbs=ABfTbFVyMZGZf1hfvX9uKjN_G8c4u0nXx4bEIpwm1lnNH832QGGMdFXpDyzkQgEdtB8w9y513h_dJNevWM0LJgfK9j1_aX5j3QezhboQdOyksL5shdHzxRUguup1VzCasop41bEKzmbGeIzJaxPuB_vWPrjbjFGBhVwj3gXbSBD1BA9BBOTo9VUbNZDDtUNu52xJ1jUORzjBo1KWitXnJAzC2n5DMMOw&q=%22lake+powell%22&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwikkbnUi_CWAxXLtysGHStPIMEQtKgLegQIFxAB&biw=983&bih=554&dpr=3.5#sv=CAMSURoyKhBlLUJaVjFsS2lQdjdCbVBNMg5CWlYxbEtpUHY3Qm1QTToORDBnaTh3WjZrcWk0YU0gBCoXCgFzEhBlLUJaVjFsS2lQdjdCbVBNGAEwARgHIO7cj_wBSggQARgBIAEoAQ.

Now, over at the opposite end of the Grand Canyon, we find Lake Mead, which lies a bit downstream from the canyon, close to Las Vegas. Lake Mead is slightly larger than Lake Powell, and it is America’s largest reservoir. I begin with Lake Powell because it is my favorite of the two and because anything that can save Lake Powell might also save Lake Mead.  

The crisis itself manifests itself in two ways: First, the current record-setting drought in the American Southwest has lowered the level of these two lakes to the point that they soon may no longer be able to provide electric power for the grid which runs from El Paso, Texas to San Diego, California and then up to Orange County, an area which includes not only El Paso and San Diego themselves, but which also includes Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, the south suburbs of Los Angeles, and many other municipalities, not to mention many farms and ranches, as well as key military installations. The second way that the crisis manifests itself lies in the fact that if things continue to get worse, the lakes may dry up to the point where they could no longer even supply enough drinking water for all the people within that area. 

With the background for our discussion now being laid, let us turn our attention to our neighbor to the north: Canada. As it turns out, in addressing an unrelated matter, the Canadians now seems to have come up with a new idea which has the potential to kill two birds with one stone. Apparently, however, they do not yet realize that. 

The crux of the matter lies in the fact that certain provinces in Canada (most notably Saskatchewan) are believed to contain large reservoirs of hydrogen in the rock strata beneath the soil.4,5 So now, Canada wants to produce green energy by burning hydrogen gas (H2), a process which produces water as its basic emission.6  

This trend may be catching on.7 The thing is, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has produced a map which shows that high concentrations of hydrogen may also lie within rock formations in several parts of the U.S. Significantly, this would include southwest Colorado.8 
I say “significantly” because the Colorado River runs just west of there, through southeast Utah. That being the case, hydrogen that is mined and burned in southwest Colorado would produce water which could empty into the Colorado River at a point just upstream from Lake Powell.

At this point then, let us consider what is to be gained from pursuing this further and what the cost of doing so might be. First of all, in considering what could be gained, we should consider whether this has been examined in detail before and what the results of any such inquiries have been. 

Now unfortunately, as I indicated, the idea of mining pure hydrogen (that is, “white hydrogen”) to scale and burning it to generate electricity is new, and so we have essentially no track record to look back upon. However, the fact that Canada is now initiating an effort to go this route tells us right there that somebody, at least, has already done some serious homework on this, has concluded that it is apparently feasible, that it may work in a cost-effective way, and that therefore we would be justified in taking a serious further look at this. 

An initial effort in the U.S. might entail drilling into the rock formations beneath the soil north and northwest of Durango, Colorado and then burning the hydrogen which may be produced to form water. Since that is west of the Continental Divide, the water would find its way naturally to the west if it were released at that point and then simply allowed to drain into the Colorado River. In the alternative, since some of that water would seep into the soil and bedrock along the way, or be lost to evaporation, we could use piping to minimize loss.  

Even then, since gravity could eliminate the need for pumping the water along, the piping would not have to be rigid, nor would it have to be a certain diameter. For if it should prove to be more economical to use multiple narrow-width pipes rather than relying on one large one, we could use the smaller pipes.  

Neither would the pipe or pipes have to be made of any certain, specific material. A thorough study should be made of this, of course, but in the end, we should not be surprised if simple rubber hosing would suffice.     

As for the electricity produced thereby, I should note that the overall area would provide an excellent place to establish one of the new, power-hungry AI data centers which are being planned. For Durango itself is located at 6,500 feet (1,980 meters) above sea level, and the average daytime high in mid-summer is in the low 80s. 

The significance of this lies in the fact that AI centers generate a lot of heat, of course, and so the elevation alone would help minimize the cooling costs which would be incurred. Plus, we should consider the possibility that enough electricity to run the place---along with the additional housing units and stores which may develop---might be produceable on site from the burning of hydrogen. All of this may help substantially lower the cost of electricity for running an AI center, especially if the hydrogen were to come from the AI company’s own well and the company were to generate its own electricity. What is more, any excess electricity could be sold into the power grid. 

The one drawback is that Durango has only about 20,000 inhabitants, so the labor pool for such a center is limited. But perhaps locating the center up the road a bit, between Durango and Montrose (another 20,000 people) would place enough people within an easy commute to enable recruitment of sufficient staff. 

Durango itself, I should note, has a well-educated population:9 98% of the residents have at least a high school diploma. 60% have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 22% have an advanced degree. As for Montrose (elevation 5,800 feet; 1,765 meters), those demographics are similar:10 93% have at least a high school diploma. One-third have at least a bachelor’s degree. And 14 percent have an advanced degree. So quite possibly, an AI company setting up shop between Durango and Montrose could fully train its own recruits.  

It is also the case that new recruits could be attracted into the area because of its close proximity to the ski resorts at Purgatory and Telluride (not to mention the scenery!) This could be particularly true with respect to young graduates suitable for management or for those who have highly specialized technical skills. Together, this should provide an available labor force of 300 full-time employees, which should be sufficient to staff an AI data center.11

Mr. Joyce's Other Writings

Saving Lake Powell