On a fateful day in the early autumn of 1961, a tragedy unfolded in the eastern part of Kane County, Utah, forever changing the lives of a young girl's family and community. Nine-year-old Lana Lynn Lee was spending the afternoon of September 17th playing with other children in the Wahweap Wash, an area east of what was then known as Glen Canyon City, now called Big Water.
The children were reportedly looking for rocks and shells in the typically dry wash when a sudden and severe rainstorm moved through the region. This storm brought with it a deluge of rain, quickly transforming the arid landscape into a dangerous torrent of floodwaters.
Amid the chaos of the unexpected flash flood, Lana became separated from her companions. While attempting to cross a ravine, the powerful current of the floodwaters swept her away. The other children who were with her were fortunately rescued from the dangerous situation. In the immediate aftermath of Lana's disappearance, extensive search efforts were launched in a desperate attempt to find her. Rescue parties scoured the area, but their exhaustive searches proved fruitless, turning up no sign of the young girl. The hope of finding Lana safe began to fade with each passing day as the vast and rugged terrain offered no clues to her whereabouts.
The prevailing theory among search parties was that Lana's body was carried down the Wahweap Wash, which drains directly into the Colorado River. At the time of her disappearance, the Glen Canyon Dam had not yet been completed to impound water, a milestone that would not occur until March 1963. This meant the river's current was strong and unimpeded, making it likely that she was swept into the expansive Colorado River/Glen Canyon area. The case of Lana Lynn Lee is a heartbreaking story of a young life lost to the unforgiving power of nature. Her disappearance is officially classified as a lost/injured missing person case, and it remains an unsolved tragedy that has lingered in the memory of the community for decades.Last Seen: Sep 17, 1961
