You are here

Dropping Water Levels Threaten To Close Another Lake Powell Boat Ramp

Share

Declining lake levels are about to claim another boat ramp at Lake Powell/Kurt Repanshek file

By the time you read this, the Bullfrog North Ramp at Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area might be closed to houseboats and larger vessels.

On Friday the park staff said that once lake levels reach 3,529 feet above sea level, the ramp would become inoperable. As of last Thursday, the lake level was 3,529.58 feet.

"Please be aware that it is possible that this lake level will be reached sometime this weekend," a park release said Friday. "The boat ramp will remain operational for smaller vessels until elevation 3525 feet.

You can track the lake level at this site.

Meanwhile, the dropped lake levels are making it harder and harder to reach Rainbow Bridge National Monument from Lake Powell.

"The  dock system  and its restroom have been moved to deeper water and are no longer connected to the Rainbow Bridge trail shoreline," the park said. "Small vessels can beach at the shoreline; however, it is at your own risk."

Once ashore, it's a three-mile roundtrip hike to the iconic stone bridge.

"Hikers walking up through the mud delta at the shoreline may encounter quicksand," warned the park. "The other option is to scramble over boulders at the shoreline until meeting the trail, which extends to the bridge on the far left/northeast side of the canyon."

The park also urged boaters to ensure they have enough fuel to get to the national monument and back to the Wahweep Stateline Auxilliary Ramp, believed to be the only ramp at the south end of the lake operable for motorized vessels.

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.