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Thursday, 6 March 2008, 12:26 GMT

In pictures: Grand Canyon flooded

Water flows from the number one and two jet tubes at the Glen Canyon Dam, 5 March 2008

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Water is unleashed from Glen Canyon Dam towards the Grand Canyon in the United States - an experiment to mimic natural floods and recharge the ecosystem.

Water flows from the number one and two jet tubes at the Glen Canyon Dam, 5 March 2008

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More than 300,000 gallons (1.1m litres) of water per second gushed from giant steel tubes into the river - the equivalent of turning on 1.3m garden hoses simultaneously.

US Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, in blue shirt at railing, watches water flow from the number one and two jet tubes at the Glen Canyon Dam

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US Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, in the blue shirt at the railing, released the valves. He said the volume of water could fill the Empire State Building in 20 minutes.

Water flows from the number one and two jet tubes at the Glen Canyon Dam, 5 March 2008

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The manmade flood will carry rich sedimentary residue to nourish the Grand Canyon area, improving the fish habitat in the river and rebuilding beaches.

Water levels at the Colorado River's Horseshoe Bend begin to rise along the beaches just hours after the Glen Canyon Dam jet tubes began releasing water , 5 March 2008

Water levels at the Colorado River's Horseshoe Bend begin to rise along the beaches just hours after the Glen Canyon Dam jet tubes began releasing water , 5 March 2008

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Water levels along the Colorado river rose quickly after the flood was released. Since the dam was built in 1963, 98% of the sediment carried by the river has been lost.

Water flows from the number one and two jet tubes as seen from atop the Glen Canyon Dam, 5 March 2008

Water flows from the number one and two jet tubes as seen from atop the Glen Canyon Dam, 5 March 2008

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Before then the river, near the Arizona-Utah border, was muddy, and natural flooding built up sandbars essential to native plant and fish species.

A boat navigates the turbulent waters caused by the jet tubes at the Glen Canyon Dam being released, 5 March 2008

A boat navigates the turbulent waters caused by the jet tubes at the Glen Canyon Dam being released, 5 March 2008

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After the flood ends on Friday, it is hoped the water will leave behind sediment, and restore sandbars, as it goes back to normal levels.

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