Located in De Beque Canyon, the Grand Valley Diversion Dam is a 14-foot high, 546-foot long concrete roller dam with six gates. A roller dam is a designed to mitigate erosion. Built between 1913 and 1916, it was the first and largest of its kind to be installed in the US. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
(right) Wow! People were hiking this!
Getting closer and closer to the edge of the state.
Changing states!
This odd statue is called Golden Ratio. Built by Australian artist Andrew Roger, it's a 44-foot-tall set of 53 giant concrete blocks and is based on the mathematical principal of the same name.
We then arrived at one of my favorite places... the San Rafael Swell.
The San Rafael Swell is a 75-mile-long and 40-mile-wide wall of sandstone, limestone and shale. For centuries, it was called the San Rafael Reef since it was a huge problem for the early explorer and settlers who were crossing the plains. Since many had had sailing experience, they called it a 'reef' which is often a barrier while sailing. The only way through was via narrow slot canyons.
In 1957, Congress decided to increase the nation's interstate highway system. Originally, workers could stand in the canyon and touch both walls. Crews excavated 3.5 million cubic yards of rock and lay down eight miles of road through the swell. It opened in 1970. Two more lanes were added in the mid-80s.
The clouds and approaching storm made the area even more magical!
Miles and miles of barrier
We hiked to the top of a nearby hill for a better view.
