Lake Powell is named for Civil War veteran Major John Wesley Powell, who explored the Green and Colorado rivers in 1869 down through Grand Canyon. In August, 1869, Powell and his eight companions passed through the site of present-day Glen Canyon Dam. Extending nearly one-third of a mile across from canyon rim to rim, the dam created the reservoir known as Lake Powell. Lake Powell's tributaries include the Escalante and San Juan rivers. Both are popular fishing areas. Types of fish found in the lake are striped bass, large and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish and carp.