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Reservoir At Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Getting Low For Launches

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Published Date

August 12, 2021

The docks at Black Canyon have been moved due to dropping reservoir levels/NPS

Lakes Mead and Powell aren't the only ones in the National Park System that are getting low. At Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Wyoming and Montana, the lake level is getting low for launches.

The Bighorn Lake level on August 9 was at an elevation of 3,623.16 feet. Recommended minimal launch levels at Horseshoe Bend are 3,620 feet. The Horseshoe Bend ramp is currently open, but park is recommending extreme caution if you're planning on going south of the south narrows towards the causeway. This area has very low water levels and Bighorn Canyon has already received several reports of damaged props and people getting stuck in the sand bars.

The docks at Black Canyon have been moved around the corner, and there is approximately a quarter-mile hike to the campground. At around lake elevation 3,620 they will be pulled for the season.

Widespread drought conditions through the State of Montana and Wyoming resulted in much lower than average runoff into Bighorn Lake and corresponding low reservoir levels and low river releases. Higher temperatures and lower precipitation also led to an increase in upstream irrigation demands that affected the amount of water in Bighorn Lake.

Bighorn Canyon expects lake levels to be below the recommended minimal launch at Horseshoe Bend of 3,620 feet prior to the end of August. At that point, several lake facilities will be removed for the season. Actual timing may vary; you can check on current conditions at https://www.usbr.gov/gp/hydromet/index.html for up to date information.

Water storage on Bighorn Lake may see a slight rebound in the fall as irrigation systems are shut off.

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