Before the construction of the Canyon Dam, there were a number of challenges that the community faced. Despite the incredibly high construction costs, the locals were able to maintain their standard of living. In fact, the community thrived under these challenges. The population of Canyon Dam City grew by a factor of five over the seven years that the dam was under construction. The first construction project that employed locals was the access roads to the dam. The road improved communication with southern Utah's most isolated areas.
During the construction of the dam, the Navajo Nation sold land on the nearby Manson Mesa to the U.S. government. Consequently, the city gained its name. Today, this area is a bustling support center for the Navajo Generating Station and Lake Powell. There are more than 5,000 residents in the area. But, while many of the residents are from the region, it remains one of the most remote places in the United States.
In the most recent census, the population of Canyon Dam City, Utah, was 48,489 people. That's more than double the population of nearby St. George. The CDP is located near the Colorado River in the western United States. During the construction of the dam, the Colorado River flowed in the left diversion tunnel, which lasted eight years. In March 1963, the left diversion tunnel closed and the river no longer ran through the Glen Canyon. Eventually, the lake grew to become Lake Powell, a large body of water that spanned 150 miles and 65 square miles.