SALT LAKE CITY, UT– When reservoirs recede, they don’t just expose old roads, forgotten villages or rusted-out cars. They reveal history. And in this case, they create new adventures.
As the long-standing drought continues to shrink Lake Powell, the Colorado River is reclaiming its natural course, unveiling whitewater rapids that have been submerged for decades. This transformation is thrilling news for rafters. Western River Expeditions, one of the nation’s premier river outfitters, reports that its Cataract Canyon rafting trips now include a brand-new, Class IV rapid—unofficially dubbed “Gypsum Rapid”—along with an estimated three miles of newly revealed river that had been buried under Lake Powell since the 1960s.
“As guides scouted this new rapid before running it, there was a mix of caution, respect, and pure wonderment,” says Carter Lloyd, a former river guide with Western River Expeditions.
The rapid reemerged as Lake Powell’s water levels dropped to lows not seen in decades. When the Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1963, 186 miles of the Colorado River were flooded to create the reservoir. By 1980, the lake was at full capacity. Now, as water recedes, lost rapids like Gypsum are coming back to life.
“We expect to see even more old rapids re-emerge in the coming years as Lake Powell continues to recede,” says Brian Merrill, CEO of Western River Expeditions.
Cataract Canyon, carved by the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers just south of Moab, Utah, offers a 100-plus-mile-long adventure filled with diverse landscapes, rich history and exhilarating whitewater rapids. Often hailed as America’s premier river trip, Cataract Canyon combines the thrill of class III-V whitewater with the serenity of breathtaking desert landscapes, ancient ruins and the timeless flow of the river.
Western River Expeditions offers two distinct ways to experience Cataract Canyon:
Cataract Canyon Express 2-Day Adventure
- $965 per person (Adults and Youth 12+)
- Experience the power of the Colorado River as you navigate through class III-V rapids aboard high-speed, custom rafts. This two-day adventure is perfect for those seeking maximum thrills in minimal time.
- Cataract Canyon Express 2-Day Adventure
Cataract Canyon 4-Day Expedition
- $1,975 for adults, $1,445 for youth (10-15)
- Immerse yourself in the beauty and serenity of Canyonlands National Park over four days. Enjoy leisurely rafting, explore hidden waterfalls and ancient ruins, and camp under the stars. The adventure concludes with a scenic flight over Canyonlands National Park.
- Cataract Canyon 4-Day Expedition
To book a trip, request a catalog or more information, call 866-904-1160 (Local: 801-942-6669) or visit the website at www.westernriver.com.
Since 1961, Western River Expeditions has been at the forefront of adventure travel, offering guided rafting trips across Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Arizona. As one of the largest licensed outfitters in the Grand Canyon and a leading tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center, Western River has earned accolades as one of the top rafting companies in the U.S. The company has also been awarded Utah’s Best of State honor for 21 consecutive years (2004-2024).
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