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Houseboaters' Feces Pollute Area Of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

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Published Date

July 3, 2017

This area in Lake Powell has been closed to the public due to contamination by human feces/NPS

Houseboaters on Lake Powell who ignored laws and regulations concerning how human waste is to be handled have forced the closure of a small area of land because it has been polluted with feces, according to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area officials.

The area is in Kane Creek Canyon of Padre Bay. Witnesses reported that a houseboat with more than 20 occupants did not comply with rules about the proper disposal of human waste. Cleanup of the area will be a significant challenge, and the health hazard may persist for weeks or months, a park release said, adding that the incident is under investigation. 

All visitors to Lake Powell are advised that every party camping within one-quarter mile of the lakeshore must have a portable toilet system that does not use plastic bags to contain the waste. (When the device is dumped at a portable toilet dump system, the plastic bag can clog the system.)

This has been a requirement at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah for many years. The park has found that most visitors find traveling to and from the floating restrooms, especially after dark, inconvenient and dangerous. The water level at Lake Powell fluctuates 20-50 feet a year. A beach that was out of the water and good for camping may be under water later. Any waste that was buried will be released by wave action and mingle with the water, making it potentially unsafe.

With eight floating restrooms/dump stations and six areas within Lake Powell's marinas, you are never too far from a place to empty your portable toilet. Additionally, the Stateline Boat Pumpout renovation has been completed and is back in operation. The boat pumpout has been equipped with four Peristaltic pumps to pump out boats. These are the same types of pumps that are now in use at Wahweap, Bullfrog, Halls Crossing, and Dangling Rope.

The only exception is if visitors are using one of the new polymer-based waste bag containment systems. These are marketed under a variety of names, including ReStop and WagBag. The chemicals used in these systems immobilize liquids and begins breaking down the waste with enzymes. The plastic bag can then be properly disposed of at any dumpster.

Under the Powell Watch Program, if you see something, say something. Text (do not call) reports of violations or concerns to 928-614-0820.

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