Lake Powell, Utah-Arizona, USA • 360° Aerial Panorama
This panorama can be opened in several different resolutions. High resolution panorama with the best quality is about 7 Mb large and it is suitable for fast internet connections and modern computers. For slower internet and old weak computers we created the smaller low resolution panorama. Some small details have been sacrificed but the size of low resolution panorama is nomore than 2 Mb. |
|
high resolution |
low resolution
|
Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir on the Colorado river, situated on the land of two states: Utah and Arizona.
The lake was created in the river's valley, following the resolution of the US Congress. Construction works commenced in 1956 with building a 178-meter high Glen Canyon Dam, and ended in 1960s, however, the blue-and-green waters of the Colorado River have only filled the entire lake by 1980. The newly created lake was named after the Major John Wesley Powell who created a first map of this territory in 1869.
The dam was constructed over the Glen Canyon for the logistics purposes - in order to obtain a water storage area. This are has become the Lake Powell - the second largest lake in the US after the Lake Mead. Depending on the season, it can hold up to 30 km3 of water. However, the development of the area did not come down just to the administrative matters. Since this man-made landscape turned out to be really spectacular, in 1972 the Lake and the surrounding territories have become a part of the Glen Canyon National Park, spread over a million acres of an incredibly beautiful and wild land.
As it could be expected, flooding of Glen Canyon has generated a wave of protests. Some were fighting against the distortion of the nature's balance, some - for preservation of the remains of some ancient Indian settlements which were going under the water, some - for other causes....
In my personal opinion, flooding of Glen Canyon has created a landscape treasure that is completely unique not only in the US, but in the entire world. The shore line of the lake is cut up by over a hundred of large and small canyons that join the main riverbed, some of which spread over many miles. In turn, they are joined by many small canyons, thus, a beautiful labyrinth is created: steep walls of reddish-orange color are rising from the water, crowned by towers and spires.
Significant infrastructure has been built in order to provide for the dam construction needs, which brought life to the entire region. Before that, the location of the dam was many miles away from the nearest fairly accessible roads. Route 89 was laid between Flagstaff and Kanab, and Page town was build just several kilometers away from the dam.
A list of popular places that have become accessible after creation of this infrastructure will take quite a few lines. Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, Colorado River Horse Shoe Bend, Rainbow Bridge, Coyote Buttes and Wave, Buckskin Gulch, Paria Canyon, Valley of the White Ghosts, Rimrock Hoodoos, Nipple Bench have been almost unaccessible before, and therefore, unknown. Moreover, the entire Glen Canyon was out of reach for the ordinary travelers, and special expeditions had to be organized for its visit.
Nowadays, Glen Canyon National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US. This region receives about two million visitors per year. However, even with the large number of tourist, overall size and quite a few hard to access places allow the Nature Preserve to remain a partially unexplored territory. Total extent of Lake Powell curvy shoreline equals to 3200 kilometers, and its length exceeds the West Coast of the US.
The area presents an unlimited potential for a landscape photographer. There are no roads along the shores of the lake, and the large area of this incredible labyrinth are only accessible by water or air, and sometimes - only by air. This inspired us to organize several photo expeditions, with aircraft and vessels.
Our first expedition allowed us to photograph one of the first aerial spherical panoramas in the world.
I was fortunate participant of that flight, which had become a starting point for the AirPano project.
This virtual tour is only a part of our story about the American South West. You have already seen a tour about the Colorado River Horse Shoe Bend, located only a few kilometers to the southwest of Glen Canyon Dam.
We have already photographed Marble Canyon (several more kilometers to the south-west), and now the photos are in post-production, as well as the images of the Grand Canyon - the continuation of the Marble Canyon. To the southeast of Lake Powell you can find several equally interesting locations. Our collection already has the images of San Juan River bends.
Our future plans include: Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Park and the landmark of the American South-West - the Monument Valley. Most challenging part in photographing these locations from the air is creating an abstract composition. My "Hieroglyphs of The Land" series of abstract photographs shot several years ago over the Lake Powell has won various international contests. It's been featured at many exhibits, and distinguished with many prizes and awards.
We are inviting you to join us in this virtual helicopter tour over lake Powell.
Story and photos by Mike Reyfman
Comments
5 from 5"My first houseboat trip to Powell was 1991 and I was awestruck by it's one of a kind beauty! Luckily I've had the oportunity to have made 4 trips in the past three years to really explore this wonder of the world. Reflection Canyon is a favorite to camp in along with Oak and Llewellyn. Thanks for the awesome and different perspective!!!"
Jeff Mueller, USA
5 from 5"priroda na WASZICH WSIECH PANO MIENIJA WOSCHISZCZAET.BŁAGODARIJU ŻEŁAJU WSIEWO CHAROSZEWO W WASZEJ POLEZNOJ RABOTE"
wielgus franciszek, Poland
5 from 5"My husband took a summer job here, spent several summer seasons working, met me, brought me to see it, married me and brought me to live here - so beautiful it takes our breath away everyday when we look out our windows or sit on the front porch gazing at the Lake, cliffs and Navajo Mountain in the distance. It's beauty changes every day. The sun, moon and stars can be seen in all their magnificence and the colors sunrise and sunset bring take our breath away. Visiting was wonderful - living here is a dream that manifested into reality. It stole our hearts. Our Spirits are fed everyday."
Pat Ogden, USA
Anastasia, AirPano: Thank you for your story, Pat! Our works is fine addition to your personal experiences of a place.
4 from 5"lake powell&grand canyon my faforites in USA"
guido heirman, Belgium
5 from 5"Beautiful! We enjoyed going to Lake Powell."
Valrae Siebrecht, USA
5 from 5""wow really good""
rameshkumar meghpara, USA
4 from 5"Really Good"
pugaz jesus, India
5 from 5"ITS AWSOME WORK,THANKS"
ISHWAR NARWANI, India
5 from 5"power boated the entire Lake back in 1990...positively beautiful"
Jo Franz, USA
5 from 5""AMAZING" We went in 1998 will never never forget it, thanks for the memoreys."
Andy Prior, Netherlands
5 from 5"A-maz-ing! Lived in Page from '73-'86. Didn't know how blessed we were! Luckily, my parents still live there! LOVELY! I think I will watch it every day. And the Enia tune is the perfect music to me. It brings tears to my eyes!"
Lori Yucker-Britt, USA
Alina, AirPano: Lori, thank you for sharing this with us!
5 from 5"America has so many beautiful places, like Lake Powell. I think nearby Grand Canyon would be an ideal spot to photograph and Glacier Bay in Alaska. I have travelled from my homeland of Australia to the USA many times and never tire of this gorgeous country. Beautiful scenery and fantastic, friendly people. Love it! Thanks for sharing these spectacular shots."
Fiona Richardson, Australia
4 from 5"My parents moved to the Glen Canyon site late in 1956 and they were the 2nd trailer home to have occupied Page AZ. I arrived at Page Nov, 1956 and started school there. After school was out I worked on the dam as a high rigger and spent many hours over the cliff sides drilling holes. I left Page in 1957 and never was able to return how sad this is for me until this presentation. It brought back a lot of fond memories, like once 5 of us kids climbed down one of the canyons by use of the old Indian foot holds carved into the cliffs side, an unforgettable experience it was."
James Hanson, USA
5 from 5"awesome pictures, do you have any of the Grand Cayon from above. I saw it once flyint CA and we went over it. It would be another awesome picture to add to these. Thanks"
Mafalda Barone, USA
Anna, AirPano: Dear Mafalda, thanks for your interest! To find some pano, you can use a search service on our website. If you like, you can view Bryce Canyon: http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=Bryce-Canyon-Utah.
5 from 5"My Wife Sue & I just come back ( June 2012 ) from a bus trip of a life time , Our National Parks of the West . One of our most enjoyable stops along our way was Lake Powell Utah . We had lunch there and just marvaled afterwood at the beauty of the lake and all the house boats ready for rent . Just Wonderful : Grant Deaver : Maryland USA"
Grant Deaver, USA
5 from 5"I've never seen such landscape as this. It is magnificent filming. Thank you for sharing part of the beauty of God's earth with us."
sandy pezzot, Canada
5 from 5""Abs amazing just visited in April 2012, but had not realized till such time i saw your Video what an amazing natural Wonder it is. love you tons for sharing it.""
Dr. Parul Bhatnagar, India
5 from 5"My husband & I spent three months at Lake Powel in the early 80's. We have traveled around the USA several times, and nothing compares to the time we spent at the lake. We boated to the end of all the canyons except five. We cmaped in our boat, and a few night on what ever little out cropping we could find. Best time of our lives was spent on Lake Powel."
Ann Woodby, USA
Anna, AirPano: Thanks for sharing your memories.
5 from 5"The panoramic views are excellent! Have been house boating five times for one week each! We have toured the entire lake starting at the Hite Marina. Everyone should see this fabulous lake, it is breath taking...our last trip we toured the San Juan arm of it. One has to navigate and watch the map or you could get lost very easily! Absolutely the best vacations ever! Brought back many happy memories. Thank you!"
Shirley Temple, USA
Anna, AirPano: You are welcome! We appreciate your interest.
5 from 5"landmarks of highest quality"
colin wilton wilton, United Kingdom
5 from 5"Just leaves me short on words that properly express how deeply I'm moved by this incredible photography. A birdseye view of places around the world I would not otherwise see. In Hi res no less. Thank you AirPano."
Manuel Orosco, USA
Anna, AirPano: We are grateful for your comment, Manuel. Good luck!
5 from 5"HOW DEEP?"
Glen DeGelnor, USA
5 from 5"OUTSTANDING! Thank you."
John Laurence, USA
5 from 5"It was 1970 that my husband and my parents and I were there. We loved it then and now know what it looks like fully filled and how much more beautiful it is now...."
Carole Olson, USA
1 from 5"hello thank yeuw"
frank poaodo, Albania
5 from 5"Beautiful and amazing. We were there with great friends in a house boat and had wonderful vacations."
Catalina Gomez Estrada, Mexico
5 from 5"Thank you for your wonderful panoramas they are truly captivating"
Kerry French, Australia
5 from 5"Great!!!!"
Wanli Woo, China
5 from 5"Imagini superbe, realizate intr-un mod exceptional !"
Constantin Achiricioaei, Romania
5 from 5"Fenomenalne panoramy.Tak piękne jak futbol.Przykład to Borussia Dortmund"
Jan Możejko, Poland
5 from 5J&225n Brosz, Czech Republic
5 from 5"sencillamente maravilloso,me encanto y me maravilla cad vez que lo miro gracias"
miguel aangel cerdeira
5 from 5"Keep up the great work. It truly is inspirational!"
I am in awe! Nature, man, beauty, wisdom, what? Wiliams, USA
"Thanks, Maria! Flying with you - always pleasure! Mike Reyfman"
Mike Reyfman, USA
5 from 5"Incredible panorama. The photographer and helicopter pilot make a great team!"
Maria Langer, USA
5 from 5"Dear Sir or Madam, I see your website and I am amazed at your panoramas. Something like we do and would like to see how it looks. www.sedpanorama.hr www.rollmaps.com We are looking for partners around the world with whom we could together to collaborate on the project. We have a great business concept for tourism and other activities. Want to have with you to contact and negotiate cooperation. cordially Stephen Matijevic"
Stjepan Matijevic, Croatia
5 from 5"Excellent Please send me pictures of Iran"
mehdi almasi
5 from 5masoud dorkhosh, Iran
5 from 5"Great panorama!"
Nick Marwell, USA
| Top |
