09/15 - Lake Powell September Cruise

Just saw on both local and network national news tonite that they're releasing prodigious amounts of water from the Glen Canyon Dam into the Grand Canyon to try to restore some wildlife and shoreline.

Does anyone know what that's going to do to the lake level? Maybe snow melt will make it up quickly, hope it doesn't affect the gathering. Wish we could go!

Charlie
 
I was just now watching the same report...obviously the lake level will be way down in about two days! I hope they don't decide that they have to sacrifice the lake permanently to bring back sandbars in the Grand Canyon...


Captains Cat":3sw9u80k said:
Just saw on both local and network national news tonite that they're releasing prodigious amounts of water from the Glen Canyon Dam into the Grand Canyon to try to restore some wildlife and shoreline.

Does anyone know what that's going to do to the lake level? Maybe snow melt will make it up quickly, hope it doesn't affect the gathering. Wish we could go!

Charlie
Click to expand...
 
I think they said it would lower the lake 5 feet. They are projecting the lake to raise 40 feet right now with the run off.That can change with things like high winds evaporating the snow pack. March 4th level was 3590 feet, full pool is 3700 feet.
 
We have gone to Powell 5 years and the level makes no real difference at the lower end--up the arms and at the inflow, both silt and debris make a difference. Lanuch will be the same at any level, since the ramps were built before the lake was filled. The lake has only been full once I believe and that was some time ago.

The trip will be the same, unless they drain the lake! It is alwalys interesting and fun. I think that last year was the highest we have seen--but rains, snow pack and discharge all figure in to the levels.

I wouldn't want to be in the canyon below the dam with the release of the water. The river flow is regulated by the amount of power generation needed in Vegas and other cities. The water level in the river fluctuates by time of the day and where you are down stream of the dam in the canyon.
 
Here is the High and lows for each year 3550 feet and some of the ramps are out of the water. There is still 400 plus feet of water in the main channel. The picture goes a little out of focus when it gets scaled down
lake_powell_levels_001.sized.jpg


If you goto wayneswords.com home page there is a water level link there.
 
It's been added to the calendar and a signup made. As you can see from the new thread title I started it on the earliest date I found in the discussion and left it open ended.
 
Thanks, Mike! This is going to be a good one! I suppose people will figure out reading this thread that people may be arriving any time between the 15th and the 18th, cruising as long as they can, and departing when they need to!

TyBoo":1s2j3aw5 said:
It's been added to the calendar and a signup made. As you can see from the new thread title I started it on the earliest date I found in the discussion and left it open ended.
Click to expand...
 
Chris
What are your dates at Lake Powell in September :?: Last year in May I missed your tour which was one of my biggest mistakes. :( I would like to follow you this year in Sept. :roll: My first born is getting married Oct. 4th. :D Can't miss the lead up to that. Have a new to me 19'er. Alittle more comfortable. Maybe see you at Catalina.
 
Steve...great to hear you moved up to a 19. I don't think we have ever had a 19 on the Lake Powell get together. That will be a first!
I will be launching on Thursday the 18th. We can plan on getting the group together then and heading up lake. We might also plan on a rendezvous somewhere on the following weekend, Saturday or Sunday, so that others can join the group. The lake is so huge...and the topography so severe the the chances of finding each other without a rendezvous are not good. Oak Canyon is a good spot to meet...always plenty of room...well protected...and about half way up lake.
 
Looks like no worries on the water level in Lake Powell for our September cruise. The drawdown of the few feet earlier in the month has already been replaced. Castle Rock shortcut is even predicted to be open this season...it's been closed due to low water levels for several years.

Bureau of Reclamation Projects Water Levels at Lake Powell to Rise, Castle Rock Cut Forecasted to Open by June 2008


PAGE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)----Heavy snowfall in the West this winter is projected to have a positive impact on water levels at Lake Powell, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. Most significantly it means that by June or earlier Castle Rock Cut, a popular shortcut on the lake, should be open for the first time in more than five years.

Lake Powell's Castle Rock Cut shortcut requires a lake elevation of about 3,620 feet for boats to pass through. As of March 13, 2008, the estimated water surface level at Lake Powell was 3,588 feet above sea level. According to the Reclamation's March projections, which use the latest inflow forecasts from the National Weather Service, the lake should reach an elevation of 3,634 feet by the end of June, peaking in July at 3,640 feet. This leaves a buffer of about 10 to 15 feet for Castle Rock Cut to stay open through peak houseboating season months.

"This winter has produced the best overall snowfall of the past eight years, with snowpacks generally well above average as the spring runoff period begins," said Barry Wirth of Reclamation. "This is significant news for the entire Southwest region, including Lake Powell, which is currently projected to rise about 50 feet over the next four months."

The effect of a nine-year drought in the Southwest has kept Castle Rock Cut impassable by boat since 2003, significantly impacting the visitor experience on Lake Powell, widely known as American's favorite houseboating destination. With the Castle Rock Cut open, a shorter and safer passage becomes available, saving boaters about 12 miles of travel between Wahweap Marina and popular uplake destinations like Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Padre Bay and Warm Creek Bay. The shortcut saves boaters time and money on fuel costs, and opens up new areas for exploration and discovery on the lake.

"This is exciting news for houseboaters and visitors to Lake Powell," said Dan Resmondo district manager of Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas. "With the rising lake levels and the opening of Castle Rock Cut, we guarantee 2008 will be one of the best and most memorable houseboating seasons in years."
 
Good news! I am also hoping 2008 is "one of the best and most memorable" C-Dory boating years too!

We are going to be on the lake some time on Monday the 15th and pulling out some time on the 25th or 26th (which might be cutting it close for our return trip). Anybody else coming before Chris arrives on the 18th? It would be great to hook up with some other boats for the pre-CBGT days!
 
Chris, we are in preliminary planning stages for next spring, so when you figure out when you will be going then, please let us know as we would like to join you again if the dates work out. We hope to follow up Lake Powell with the Sacramento River Delta/Bay Extravaganza, so hopefully there will be enough time for travel between the two!

Warren
 
Steve Grover":3f2whm7i said:
Chris,
Your the man...Hope to be there...Hope to be alive... :D
Click to expand...

Oh, come on, Steve... she won't kill you. May make your live so miserable that you wish you were dead. :wink:

So, did I miss it? How did it turn out? Did she ever find out about the 19?? Inquiring minds want to know.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Marilyn, Teaco, Tugger and I would like to join you on this one. Last year was fun, but too short. We'll be ready for a longer cruise this year. We'll also bring more provisions. :cocktail
 
Back
Top