All the pioneering geologists of the 19th Century made their mark in the Colorado River Basin. For example, John Wesley Powell, Grove K. Gilbert, Clarence Dutton, and Charles Walcott. Two of these scientists would become directors of the US Geological Survey. However, John Strong Newberry was the first to describe the Grand Canyon geologically in 1858 and the first to intentionally, though unsuccessfully in 1859, acquire the latitude and longitude of the confluence for the Colorado and Green rivers, which is a feature in Canyonlands National Park. In fact, the name "Colorado Plateau" is attributed to Newberry. Other achievements for Newberry include becoming a charter member of the National Academy of Sciences and the president of Columbia University.
COLORADO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES
Click here to read a summary of early Colorado River surveys.
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