The Powell Expedition

John Wesley Powell grew up in a low-income family in Ohio. His dad told him he was destined to be a farmer, but Powell had no interest in being like his father. So, in 1869, Powell and his team set off on an expedition from the Green River into the Grand Canyon, also known as the "Great Unknown," the last uncharted area in the US. However, Powell faced a detrimental challenge before the journey. He had to amputate his right arm after being wounded during the Civil War in 1862. But that didn’t stop him from persisting through the journey. So Powell began the trip with ten members of the crew and enough food and provisions to last months. But only two weeks into the adventure, they faced numerous challenges, including dangerous rapids, dwindling supplies, and the loss of one of their boats, the “No Name.”

Despite the hardships, Powell's determination and his team's resilience allowed them to continue their journey. However, four men left the crew during the expedition, unable to withstand these hardships. During the journey, Powell took meticulous notes, journaled, and recorded as much information as possible. Ultimately, Powell and his crew completed a historic expedition, and the four men who left were never seen again. John Wesley Powell's landmark journey defied the odds posed by the treacherous terrain and the loss of crew members and left an enduring legacy, influencing the governance of water resources by both states and the federal government.