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Some Boating Access Available At Lake Powell

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By Compiled From N... - December 29th, 2022

Small boats can still access Lake Powell, but it might not be easy/Kurt Repanshek file

It's winter, but if you have determination, a four-wheel-drive, and a small boat, you can reach the water of Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah.

National Park Service staff at Glen Canyon say small vessels can be launched at the North Lake Powell ramp, though they caution that a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for launching on the boilerplate material as the surface may be slick. The Bullfrog North Ramp will be closed on the north side of the ramp only. The north side of the ramp will be barricaded and hard closed. Signs are being posted "launch at your own risk." This ramp became inoperable to houseboats when lake levels reached 3,529 feet (above sea level) last month. The park will be monitoring this ramp as water levels change.

Lake Powell water levels fluctuate every year, based on a complex mix of unpredictable factors. Some of these factors are weather-related, and some are the result of U.S. Bureau of Reclamation management of Lake Powell as part of the system of reservoirs. According to the bureau, latest projections show the reservoir dropping below the 3,525 feet target elevation as early as this month. The target elevation is a buffer that allows for response actions to prevent Lake Powell from dropping below elevation of 3,490 feet, the lowest elevation that Glen Canyon Dam can still release water through its eight penstocks and generate hydropower.

Information about the status of boat ramps and marina services on Lake Powell is available 24/7 at this link. Before heading to the lake, boaters should check the park’s website for the status of their preferred launch/retrieval destination. 

The National Park Service recognizes the important role that launch ramps and marinas play in the economies of gateway communities and the numerous businesses that operate in the park. The park will continue to assess lake conditions and will adjust operations as possible to provide boater access at each ramp. 

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