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Glen Canyon is home to dynamic and constantly changing landscape.Since 2001, declining water levels due to climate change and 20 years of drought have reshaped Lake Powell’s shoreline. Today we are experiencing low lake levels and their effects on boat ramp access points, on-lake facilities, and the landscape.
For real time lake level information, view the Bureau of Reclamation's Upper Colorado River HydroData. To learn more about the Upper Colorado River Basin and the operations of Glen Canyon Dam, including the 24-month predictions, visit the Bureau of Reclamation's website. Lake Powell Current Water LevelLake Powell Elevation (10/07/2024)3577.65 ftLake Level Effects to Launch Ramps and Services
Lake Powell Water Access Update from the Superintendent September 2024Fall is in the air at Glen Canyon! The extreme heat of July and August are now behind but many boating and fishing days are still ahead of us. With the lower temperatures we are seeing increased camping and hiking in our outlying areas once again. The cycle of the seasons repeats themselves. This month numbers were released highlighting the economic benefits of outdoor recreation and visitor spending to the area. With substantial growth in visitation last year it makes sense that the revenue spending also skyrocketed! Visitors spent $540 million in our local area and generated 6,300 jobs to the economy. The outdoor industry is a huge contributor to our state’s economic health. I am incredibly proud of the role of the team at Glen Canyon in supporting the visitor experience and the benefits we generate, along with our commercial operators in the park. Glen Canyon NRA experienced an increase in critical incidents this season. Each event required quick response from our park rangers and area partners. Many of these incidents occurred simultaneously or in quick succession. We have an excellent team of park law enforcement, fire, rescue and emergency medical personnel, without whom we would not be able to serve our over 5 million visitors spread out over 1.25 million acres. We also appreciate the support we receive from our mutual aid partners in the area. Our planned projects continue to advance. In August, a significant well pump failure caused disruption to many of our Wahweap customers. The quick action of our park facility staff, who worked around the clock to haul water, prevented a closure of services during peak visitation. This event highlights the need for the Legacy Restoration funded project for our critical water and wastewater system that is currently in design. Sincerely, One of our first larger projects planned in this location was a project for a low boat ramp at Bullfrog Stanton Creek. The Bullfrog Stanton Creek location offers lower elevation ramp possibilities. With the updated Bureau of Reclamation target elevation commitment for Lake Powell at an elevation of 3525 and existing Bullfrog ramps already providing access as low as 3519, an investment in that Bullfrog Stanton Creek ramp is not as urgent currently. The design and costing work we have done with that project may still be useful in the future so it is an option we have in our back pocket for lower water levels should they be forecasted again. We have not stopped evaluating and pursuing federal and state grant opportunities (in collaboration with the state of Utah) to resume ferry access in this area. This ramp is currently open to paddlecraft only. Conceptual design drawings for the proposed parking area are being reviewed by the park. Hydrogeologic surveys conducted this summer are indicating that the design will need to be adjusted to ensure the long-term sustainability for this river access project. These findings do not affect the preferred location. We understand there are concerns and questions about why the park is not returning to operations at the previous Dangling Rope Marina site. I want to be fully transparent to our many stakeholders and communities as to “why” we had to make these hard unavoidable decisions, and how we might get to even a brighter future with our mid-lake experiences. We are moving forward with long-term planning for access infrastructure that will have features and functionality that will support water visitation to Rainbow Bridge National Monument at lower water elevations. On August 8, 2023, the NPS Denver Service Center issued a solicitation for architect and engineering services to relocate and rehabilitate the Rainbow Bridge floating walkways and anchor system. The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) utility rehabilitation of Wahweap and Lone Rock is solicitating for abbreviated proposal design and build qualifications from contractors for the wastewater rehabilitation phase. The qualification proposals are due by September 17. Once the phase one qualifications have been evaluated for competencies, the qualified contactors will submit detailed proposals for execution. The water supply and distribution phase is in the final stages of pre-design development as we investigate several hydrogeologic options for the most sustainable and cleanest drinking water well source available in the area. Lake Powell Launch RampsRecreate Safely at Lake Powell
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Last updated: October 8, 2024