PDF Summary:The Emerald Mile, by Kevin Fedarko

In The Emerald Mile, Kevin Fedarko explores the complex relationship between human ingenuity and the power of nature. He chronicles the history of exploration and dam construction along the Colorado River, examining both the economic benefits and environmental consequences.

The narrative culminates in 1983, as a severe flood threatened the Glen Canyon Dam and propelled Kenton Grua's dory on an attempt to set a new speed record through the Grand Canyon. Fedarko weaves together these events, delving into the competing desires to conquer and protect the river's majesty.

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The period was marked by a significant increase in wealth, which was largely facilitated by the building of the Hoover and Glen Canyon dams.

Following the catastrophic floods that impacted the Imperial Valley, the organization founded in 1902, inspired by Powell's vision for managing water resources, initiated the creation of a comprehensive system of large-scale dams, with the Hoover Dam being the first to be constructed in 1935. The beginning of the "Age of Dams" signified a deliberate effort to transform the perils of wild rivers into beneficial resources. The completion of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963 marked the culmination of a series of progressively larger and more audacious mega-dam endeavors. The author emphasizes the exceptional skill and vast scale of these undertakings, highlighting the underlying belief that all resources should be harnessed to maximize wealth. Dams played a crucial role in controlling floods and enabled extensive irrigation, in addition to supplying cost-effective hydroelectric power that drove the economic growth of the Southwest.

- Environmental and Social Impacts: Drowned Canyons, Lost Ecosystems, and Conflicts Over Water Rights

The narrative by Fedarko acknowledges the economic benefits associated with dams but also examines the environmental and social consequences that their construction brings about. He expresses remorse for the once tranquil and majestic Glen Canyon, with its sandstone formations and branching canyons, which he and numerous environmental advocates believe surpassed even the Grand Canyon in splendor.

The completion of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963 marked a critical juncture in discussions about wilderness conservation and sparked contentious discussions about the distribution of water resources. David Brower ascended to the role of executive director at the Sierra Club, where he fervently protected wilderness regions and spearheaded a nationwide campaign to prevent further dam building within the Grand Canyon. The debate over these structures marked a significant shift in how Americans view their natural surroundings, particularly their waterways.

Exploring the Unique Traditions of River Culture The Rise of Expert Navigators in the Grand Canyon.

The emergence of a distinctive group within the canyon was significantly influenced by a growing fascination with river navigation and dam construction, and this collective is known as the dorymen.

The allure of a dory stems from its uncomplicated structure, elegant contours, and the special bond one experiences with a wooden craft, setting it apart from other boat varieties.

Fedarko emphasizes the allure and intimacy of dories, which stand out in their uniqueness, unlike the utilitarian rubber rafts and vessels propelled by motors. He delves into their history, showing that for enthusiasts such as Martin Litton, the boats embody a straightforward and functional elegance that resonates with the essence of the canyon. Their historical significance is highlighted by their roles in exploration and angling, along with their unique ability to sail through the river's currents in a manner that harmonizes perfectly with the water's movement. Their special connection to this iconic river sets them apart from other watercraft and reflects deep-seated values regarding the importance of wild nature, the art of river navigation at a relaxed pace, and the principle of independence.

Navigating the demanding currents of the river: Expertly steering through the river and choosing the optimal path brought about the thrill of maneuvering through the swirling rapids.

Fedarko skillfully depicts the trials and triumphs involved in becoming adept at navigating turbulent waters, focusing on comprehension rather than domination. He emphasizes the unique behavior of water in tumultuous rapids, where swirling currents and persistent waves can unexpectedly intensify, collectively adding to the unpredictable and powerful forces capable of wrecking boats and rattling the nerves of their navigators. Fedarko depicts the insightful journey of harmonizing with the river's contours, foreseeing its flow, and discerning the secure route delineated by an unbroken watercourse. The author explores the alluring challenge of facing the wild forces of nature, equipped only with paddles and one's keen intellect, akin to navigating through a blizzard.

The environmental preservation initiative established by Martin Litton.

Fedarko emphasizes the simultaneous rise of dorymen and the growing movement to safeguard the natural environment, which picked up speed during the controversies over the Glen Canyon Dam. Martin Litton, who passionately championed environmental conservation and once piloted gliders during the Second World War, established Grand Canyon Dories in 1969, dedicating the company to the exclusive use of small wooden boats for traversing the Colorado River. The author portrays Litton as an individual with unique idiosyncrasies, characterized by his meticulous focus on details, his intense commitment to environmental conservation, his dislike for boats powered by motors, and his resistance to the authorities he felt were diminishing the splendor of the magnificent canyon.

Each dory was christened with a name that paid tribute to a natural wonder that had either vanished or undergone change. This tradition of honoring secluded canyons and deteriorating ecosystems reflected a deep commitment to the unhurried rhythm of slow-boating and a robust resistance to the intense utilization practices prescribed by the government's water management agency.

A significant event took place along the rivers in 1983.

The story Fedarko tells reaches its climax with the recounting of the intense events that unfolded during the spring and summer of 1983, emphasizing the exceptional floods, the imminent peril posed by a nearby dam, and the bold attempt by the Emerald Mile to set a new speed record.

The Bureau of Reclamation grappled with managing the heightened flooding caused by the combined effects of El Niño and an extraordinary snowmelt.

Fedarko thoroughly details the events leading up to the Colorado River's most dramatic rise in water levels in half a century, emphasizing the challenges posed to the river's water management system by the remarkable El Niño event and the subsequent exceptional snowmelt that year. In response to the rising water levels, the team stepped up their efforts to manage the burgeoning floodwaters, a task complicated by unforeseen deterioration within the spillway tunnels and imprecise predictions from the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. A convergence of circumstances led to a pivotal point along the waterways.

The circumstances at the Glen Canyon Dam were marked by spillway deterioration, cavitation, and the potential for uncontrolled water discharge.

The story subsequently shifts focus to the challenges faced by a team of engineers and administrators tasked with preventing a catastrophe at the structure known as Glen Canyon Dam. Fedarko provides a detailed examination of the dam's vast scale and complex operations, while also highlighting possible vulnerabilities. He provides a clear and engrossing portrait of cavitation—the destruction wrought by minuscule vacuum bubbles that relentlessly attack metal and concrete—revealing how this phenomenon crippled both spillway tunnels, forcing operators to engage in a desperate game of hydraulic whack-a-mole by channeling an extraordinary amount of water through the Colorado River's celebrated gorge. The author explores potential scenarios, imagining circumstances where Lake Powell could have overflowed without restraint, potentially resulting in the complete failure of the dam. The escalating tension and excitement arise from the engineers' belief in their capacity to tame nature, contrasted with the increasingly clear truth that the river consistently asserted its supremacy in unexpected ways.

The attempt by Grua to set a new speed record, despite the challenges of turbulent waters and detractors, came to be recognized as the Emerald Mile Speed Run.

Fedarko wraps up his narrative by describing the exhilarating voyage of the Emerald Mile as it adeptly navigated the rough waters, epitomizing the complex and occasionally opposing relationships between human endeavors and the natural settings of the Colorado River, particularly within the Grand Canyon. Kenton Grua, the skipper of the Emerald Mile, embarked on a bold quest to surpass the existing speed record in the Grand Canyon by taking advantage of the powerful flood that threatened the dam, which in turn aided his pursuit and demonstrated the prowess of his beloved dory.

The author masterfully intertwines the story of this exhilarating adventure with simultaneous crises, such as the calamities that befell commercial river trips when the Colorado River surged past 70,000 cubic feet per second, the actions taken by the Bureau of Reclamation to prevent Lake Powell from overflowing past the dam's limits, and the escalating ethical and legal challenges faced by Grua upon the National Park Service uncovering his unauthorized journey through a prohibited area of the river. The encounter between "The Emerald Mile" and the tumultuous waters at Crystal Rapid underscores the river's overwhelming power in contrast to the fragility of human endeavors.

The daring voyage of the Emerald Mile is a testament to Grua's extraordinary river navigation abilities and his willingness to challenge his own limits. In telling the story of this bold venture against the backdrop of an engorged gorge and the imminent risk of a dam collapse, Fedarko explores the enduring allure of the Grand Canyon and the intrinsic paradoxes in human attempts to control its magnificence.