Changing Lake Levels

 

Left image
Lone Rock surrounded by campers and vehicles parked in the sand amidst a superbloom of desert evening primrose on April 29, 2023. Lake elevation 3524.50'.
Credit: NPS

Right image
June 21, 2023. Lone Rock is once again a beach, surrounded by water and some vehicles parked on the beach to the right. Lake elevation 3579.22'.
Credit: NPS

 

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.

• Significant changes to the shoreline will affect usability of boat launch ramps throughout the year, especially in warmer months. We ask visitors to plan ahead and prepare for longer lines, limited parking and congestion at boat ramps and docks. To relieve launch ramp congestion, please ready your boat at a nearby parking lot before driving to launch ramps. View the current status of your preferred launch destination before heading to the lake.
• On Lake Powell, boaters should be aware that as water levels change, channels may narrow leading to increased boat congestion. Boaters should exercise caution in all areas of Lake Powell. Availability of restrooms, floating walkways, pump out, fuel and convenient stations may vary. View the current status of on-lake facilities below.

There are many new places to explore as water levels change, and the scenic shoreline is always evolving. Check current lake levels to plan ahead and prepare for your visit to Glen Canyon. Learn more about boating safety and make every trip to Lake Powell a safe and enjoyable one.

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 Level

 

Lake Powell Elevation (10/30/2024)

3576.91 ft

 

Lake Level Effects to Launch Ramps and Services

Location	Availability			More Information
		Houseboats	Small Motorized Vessels		Non-motorized Vessels
Wahweap Main Launch Ramp	Available	Available	Unavailable	Open to all motorized vessels. Closed to paddlecraft.
Wahweap Auxiliary Launch Ramp	Inoperable	Inoperable	Inoperable	Ramp closed to all vessels.
Wahweap Stateline Launch Ramp	Inoperable	Inoperable	Launch at own risk	Ramp closed to launch/retrieval of motorized vessels. Drive halfway down the ramp to access the Stateline Auxiliary Ramp. Open to paddlecraft only. Closed intermittently for vessel salvage equipment staging.
Wahweap Stateline Auxiliary Launch Ramp	Available	Available	Unavailable	Open to motorized vessels. Prepare all boats in the Stateline Main Ramp parking lot before accessing the auxiliary ramp.
Castle Rock Cut	Navigate at your own risk	Navigate at your own risk	Navigate at your own risk	Navigable for all vessels at elevation 3583' and above.
Antelope Point Public Launch Ramp	Inoperable	Inoperable	Available	Public Ramp closed to motorized vessels. Available for paddlecraft launching only. Extension not possible due to topography. Switchback in place to remedy steepness of access to the marina.
Antelope Point Business Ramp	Available	Available	Available	This ramp is open for all vessels, including houseboats. Interested customers should contact Antelope Point Valet Services to inquire about their specific vessel(s), 928 645-5900 ext. 5032.
Halls Crossing Launch Ramp	Available	Available	Available	Open to all vessels.
UDOT Ferry and Launch Ramps	Inoperable	Inoperable	Inoperable	Ramps closed. More information regarding the Lake Powell Ferry provided by UDOT.
Bullfrog North Launch Ramp	Available	Available	Available	Open to all vessels. View flow of traffic and area map. A courtesy dock is available at the ramp.
Bullfrog Main Launch Ramp	Launch at own risk	Launch at own risk	Launch at own risk	Open to all vessels. Prepare your boats at the Bullfrog Visitor Center parking lot and the Old Marina Store asphalt parking lot.
Bullfrog Main Launch Ramp Spur	Inoperable	Launch at own risk	Launch at own risk	Open to all vessels up to 25ft.
Stanton Creek Primitive Area	Inoperable	Inoperable	Launch at own risk	Primitive rock and sand beach. Launch area is inoperable. Launch at your own risk
Hite Ramp	Inoperable	Inoperable	Unavailable	Hite Launch Ramp out of water. Lake Powell does not reach Hite at this time. The road to Hite from Hwy 95 is closed.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument	Available	Available	Available	Floating docks, walkways, and restrooms have been re-anchored at the back of the canyon providing access to the Rainbow Bridge trail. Approximately 1.2-mile hike to the observation area at the bridge. Concession operated boat tours may be available. Hiking permits around Navajo Mountain from Navajo Parks & Recreation.

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Lake Powell Water Access Update from the Superintendent September 2024

Fall 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,  
Michelle Kerns 
Superintendent

Bullfrog Launch Ramps

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. 

Antelope Point Public Ramp

This ramp is currently open to paddlecraft only. Conceptual design drawings for the proposed parking area are being reviewed by the park. 

Hite / Colorado River Takeout

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. 

Midlake Fuel Station

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 all have fond memories of the many years Lake Powell boaters enjoyed a unique experience at Dangling Rope. Due to climate change and aridification, Lake Powell’s water levels have declined. The water depth in the Dangling Rope cove can no longer support a marina. With the water level lower, access is cut off and emerging rock features are a safety hazard. National Park Service (NPS) bathymetric surveys showed that the floating marina infrastructure had to be moved away or it would have become high and dry in the cove.
 
Lower lake levels also lowered water tables and caused the loss of water wells. Weather-related damage to the electrical system compounded the problems. All considered, this resulted in the unavoidable decision that Dangling Rope was no longer a viable location on Lake Powell for visitor services. Without an electrical system, potable water to the marina, and a lake level sufficient to maintain a marina or utility systems in low water conditions, the Dangling Rope location is unsustainable.
 
We know how important mid-lake fuel is, and NPS has been working hard to find an alternative way to provide mid-lake fuel to boaters. We are planning a mid-lake fuel service station that will be operational at low water and not dependent on support systems from a fixed, land-based station. Congress authorized funding support for this alternative fuel station in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget appropriation in a Disaster Supplemental. A contract was awarded to a marine engineering firm (Stantec) to provide a design for this new infrastructure. A Stantec team did field work to survey and develop design concepts for this replacement infrastructure. When we have those design concepts, we’ll begin the evaluation process and engage our affected communities and stakeholders to ensure we construct a long-lasting mid-lake fueling station that will serve us well in the future.
 
We thank you all for the passion you have for Lake Powell. We will continue to update our dedicated community of boaters on the timing and development of these projects.

Rainbow Bridge

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.

Wahweap Investments

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.

 

 

 

Recreate Safely at Lake Powell

• 

  Lake Recreational Water Advisory

  Take care of yourself when you recreate on the beaches or in the waters of Lake Powell.

• 

  Boating

  Lake Powell is a premier location for boating opportunities, whether in a luxury houseboat or small fishing skiff.

• 

  Houseboat Staking

  How should I properly anchor my houseboat on Lake Powell? Why can't I use stakes?