Riordan Mansion Lunchtime Lecture: Lost and Found: Archaeology in Glen Canyon before and after Lake Powell

Archeologist Kim Spurr will present recent & ongoing field studies by the Museum of Northern Arizona aimed at identifying site threats and methods to preserve them. As a result of prolonged drought and changing climate, in 2023 Lake Powell reached its lowest water level since 1968, when the reservoir was initially filling. With a decrease in lake-based recreation, the number of backcountry visitors and the popularity of Off-Road Vehicles is climbing. These trends bring the potential for damage to the rich archaeological record of Glen Canyon that stretches back more than 10,000 years. Archeologist Kim Spurr will present recent and ongoing field studies by the Museum of Northern Arizona aimed at identifying threats to cultural sites and methods to preserve them.