What’s it like on lake powell lately?

[easy does it]

Looked for pura vida for 5 years and then moved to St George to be a lake powell junkie, 2 short trips summer of 2020 and then a quad bypass. Moved to Oregon and Hawaii but still still need another fix. It seems to me there may be a huge upside here in terms of what we could see? Of course the facilities would be a big hassle and require major planning something I am not to good at but still I can’t seem to resist these voices in my head calling me back. Is October to late?

[thataway]

At this point no launch ramp is open. Dangling rope has not been open this year for fuel. Any launch/ retrieval is for houseboats or other vessels for repairs and by tractor/tractors.

The water level is at least 15 feet below the end of the lowest level useful ramp. Powell is being maintained slightly higher than Meadl because of needs for power generation.

The up stream lakes and resistors are at about 66%, but inflow to them is limited. They are being maintained to allow constant flow to Powell (which has risen some from its low, to facilitate power generation.

So forget launching currently at Powell. By Oct, that 15 feet may be available and launching available. The weather is beginning to cool off. There are often thunderstorms but we have enjoyed Powell in Oct. in the past. With the limited facilities--you probably would be limited to range because of fuel and water. Even if you were to carry extra fuel, and conserve water there will be some limitations. I suppose one could boil or use filters to allow the lake water to be potable. We have always used lake water for bathing, doing dishes, and cooking if boiling the food. That leaves only drinking and some re-constitutional use of water for dehydrated food. If. you are careful the 20 to 30 gallons could last a moth of 2 people.

[jkidd]

Water level is at 3536. Bullfrogs Executive ramp is open and good to 3525. Stateline auxiliary ramp on the south end is also open to 3525. As for Dangling Rope the facility’s have been takin to Bullfrog for dismantling current water level doesn’t work for a marina in that spot. Take extra fuel with you. Can’t tell you how fast they’ll drain off 10’ of water. Just have to watch the water data base.

http://lakepowell.water-data.com/

[easy does it]

Thank you and I’m sure with the CD22 there are many other places but for us the Lake Powell experience was like nothing we had even ever dreamed of and it is hard to give it up. I wonder for those who have been around for a while, will it come back or is it gone? I am starting to wish I had voted for Al Gore. Ha

[Wood Zeppelin]

The predictions I have read say Powell is a goner. The dam was built by during an era of dam-building frenzy, based on a very short window of rainfall data, and even that was a questionable analysis.

[Peter & Judy]

I too am glad that I had the opportunity boat on Lake Powell in my C-Dory in 2018 for two weeks and 10 days by canoe in 2007. I think it is likely that Lake Powell is effectively gone forever. There might be a year or two here now and then, but with long term effects of climate change beginning to hit home and even greater demand on the water in the SW, I think it's long term future is bleak.

I too wish you had voted for Al Gore.

[colbysmith]

From what I read on the Facebook group, it sounds like if you can get launched, there is still plenty of water to enjoy. But the only fuel facilities are going to be at the Page, Az end, and perhaps Bullfrog. No more Dangling Rope or anything in between. Another good place to follow is www.wayneswords.net. I haven't checked in there in a few weeks, but I'm sure there is conversation there about water levels. Colby

[jkidd]

The lake is still 130 Miles long and 400 feet deep at the dam. It has gone up the last two days. With all the problems that the drought has caused it has always delivered the lower states water shares. So it is doing exactly what it was supposed to do. If they would force the lower states to take a reduction it would recover. The only reason it is still working is because the upper states don't use all of there shares. Personally I would like to see Lake Mead and Powell go low enough that they can't generate any electricity. It would be a fun experiment to watch how they deal with the rolling blackouts.

[flrockytop]

Wonder about what they are going to do about charging all those electric cars? Will it be like a lotto or do you get one charge a month.

[ssobol]

[Fairbro]

So, is there a lesson to be learned here? Man plans…God laughs, maybe? Every present has a price? Everyone Complains about the weather but shouldn’t do anything about it?

[Wood Zeppelin]

[Foggy]

Again, I opine:

[Wandering Sagebrush]

[thataway]