The Setting of Glen Canyon - Literature review Example

 Smooth Talking for Smooth Sailing What is the best way to provide necessary water to growing populations located in relatively arid zones? For years, the anticipated answer has been to dam up an existing river so as to create a lake-type reservoir for the area. The benefit of this has always been that dams can also be constructed with hydroelectric generators that can provide necessary energy for the area as well. However, increased attention to how these structures impact the environment led to the publication of articles such as Edward Abbey’s “The Damnation of a Canyon” which appeared in 1971 in a publication called Beyond the Wall: Essays from the Outside. In this article, the author took an in-depth look at the ramifications of damming a place called Glen Canyon, a location on the border between Utah and Arizona, in order to create Lake Powell. In making his observations, the author managed to launch worldwide environmental concerns regarding the actual effects of dams on the greater community. As the author describes the setting of Glen Canyon as it existed naturally, he tells about a river trip he took down the Colorado River in this area in which the current of the river was sufficient to drive his raft nearly 150 miles in 10 days through a rich environment full of life. He then compares this experience with a couple of seasons he spent working as a seasonal park ranger at the Powell Lake reservoir. This establishes his credibility in having known the canyon both before and after the creation of the dam in this vicinity and thus able to assess the positive and negative changes that were brought about as a result. Having established his credibility as someone familiar with the area both before and after the industrial changes, Abbey then provides full disclosure telling his audience about his environmental interest and generalized anti-industrial stance. However, in making this admission, he also makes a feeble claim that there are a growing number of Americans who join him in these sentiments. While this would seem to weaken his argument, his further discussion reveals that there are well-founded reasons for him to feel the way he does as he launches the article into a more specific investigation of the effects of the construction of the dam. Abbey strengthens his argument against the dam by pointing out the environmental damage that had been realized by the dam. The first problem introduced by the dam is described most accurately as the ‘bathtub ring’ effect. The purpose of building the dam was primarily for the hydroelectric possibilities of generating power for the region. This means that the level of the lake fluctuates based upon human need, leaving what is called a bathtub ring of dead and scoured ground found in the shape of a ring around the lake when levels are low. While this ring of barren land leaves much to be desired aesthetically, the author also points out how this practice reduces the natural environmental elements that would be expected next to a lake and that had been present when the only water in the area was the untamed Colorado River. “The thickets teemed with songbirds … On the open beaches were killdeer, sandpipers, herons, ibises, egrets. Living in grottoes in the canyon walls were swallows, swifts, hawks, wrens and owls. Beaver were common” (145). In building the dam, many of the natural wonders of the area – the animal and flora as well as the smaller streams, waterfalls, plunge pools and larger mammalian life – were destroyed. Having established that the dam has killed most of the natural wonder of the area, the author then moves on to address some of the claims made by those who defend the dam. These defenses include the contention that the dam has created one of the most beautiful reservoirs in America that now provides numerous opportunities for recreation and entertainment. The author acknowledges that the surrounding scenery is beautiful, but argues that it was that long before the dam was built. In terms of the recreation now available, the author again admits that there is a much larger proportion of the region now available to motorboats, but many of the really interesting elements of the canyon are now either underwater or otherwise no longer directly accessible to hand and foot. In addition, many of the smaller canyons are no longer accessible even to boat because of pollution and use of the park is priced further out of range than when it was natural. Having successfully answered the arguments in favor of the dam, the author concludes his article by making it immediately relevant to his reader in proposing a solution to the problem. The author admits that the damage of the dam has already been done and nothing can now be done to fix it. However, he suggests that the present and future generations attempt to develop new, less destructive means of generating power and then returning places such as Glen Canyon to their more natural state. By draining the reservoir and removing the dam, Abbey warns that the area would look terrible for a long time. “Immense salt flats and whole plateaus of sudden garbage strewn with dead trees, sunken boats, the skeletons of long-forgotten water-skiers. But to those who find the prospect too appalling, I say give nature a little time. In five years, at most in ten, the sun and wind and storms will cleanse and sterilize the repellent mess” (148). The article thus ends on a note of hope that his children or grandchildren would again be able to enjoy the canyon in much the same way he had so many years ago. Edward Abbey makes a strong case for the removal of dams in the country by using this one case as a vivid example. He claims credibility through his knowledge of the area both before and after the dam was built and thus can act as eye-witness to direct changes in the environment. He then points to verifiable changes that have taken place such as the reduction in wildlife, the cutting off of smaller canyons and the inability of individuals to simply enjoy the area without great expense. He successfully argues against the supporters of the dam with more facts that show how the negative effects far outweigh any positive benefits realized. Abbey thus uses the principles of ethos in establishing his credibility, logos by using verifiable facts about the region and pathos in describing his nostalgic memories of his river trip and his hopes for its future to create a very effective argument that started a nation talking. Works Cited Abbey, Edward. “The Damnation of a Canyon.” Reading Rhetorically. Read More