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Lake Powell Water Levels Rising More Than Expected

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By NPT Staff - May 1st, 2023

An unexpectedly high spring runoff will cover some of the white cliff walls in Lake Powell this year/Kurt Repanshek file

An unexpectedly large snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin is expected to raise the elevation of Lake Powell at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area higher than previously forecast, leading to the likelihood of more boat ramps being in use this summer.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation says the snowpack will lead to a runoff into Lake Powell through July that will be 11.3 million acre feet, or 177 percent of the 30-year average. According to the National Weather Service, the snow-water equivalent of the snowpack in the upper basin ranks among the five wettest years over the past 35 years.

When Lake Powell is "full," the surface elevation of the water is 3,700 feet above sea level. As of Sunday morning, the elevation was 3,524.4 feet and rising. Under the "Probable Maximum scenario" calculated by the Bureau of Reclamation, Lake Powell’s "physical elevation is projected to be 3,602.99 feet on December 31, 2023."

The following Lake Powell launch ramps currently are open:   

South Lake Powell, (located near Page, Ariz.): 

  • Stateline Auxiliary Ramp is open to all motorized vessels and paddlecraft. Beginning May 1, this ramp will be closed to paddlecraft.  
  • Wahweap Main Ramp: Beginning May 1, Wahweap Main is the only designated access point at Wahweap for paddlecraft.  
  • Antelope Point Public Launch Ramp is available for paddlecraft only. 

North Lake Powell, (Bullfrog and Halls Crossing, UT): 

  • Bullfrog North Ramp is open to small, motorized watercraft and is closed on the north side of the ramp.  
  • Halls Crossing Public Ramp is open to paddlecraft only. 

As Lake Powell’s water levels rise, the park plans to reopen the following launch ramps when the estimated lake elevations are reached (all elevations are feet, above sea level):  

South Lake Powell, (located near Page, Ariz.):  

  • Antelope Point Marina Business Ramp – all vessels ~ 3540’ 
  • Wahweap Main – all motorized vessels ~ 3546’ 
  • Stateline – all non-motorized vessels ~ 3564’  
  • Antelope Point Public – all non-motorized vessels ~ 3588’  

North Lake Powell, (Bullfrog and Halls Crossing, UT) 

  • Bullfrog North Ramp – to include larger vessels and houseboats ~ 3529’ 
  • Bullfrog Spur – all vessels up to 25ft ~ 3540’ 
  • Halls Crossing Public – use at your own risk ~ 3556’ 
  • Bullfrog Main – all vessels ~ 3578’ 

Be aware that due to many dynamic factors affecting Lake Powell’s water elevations, it is not possible to know when a specific water level will be reached, the National Park Service said. The park is monitoring changing water levels and when conditions allow will adjust visitor services. Be sure to check the park’s Changing Lake Levels webpage for the status of lake levels and all Lake Powell boat ramps, prior to the heading to the lake. (Information is available 24/7 at this link.    

Visitors to Bullfrog and Halls Crossing in Utah are advised that the Utah Department of Transportation will not reopen the Charles Hall Ferry this year. As a result, drivers will need to utilize Utah State Routes 276 and 95 instead of the ferry. 

To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, all boats departing Lake Powell require an inspection.  We ask that watercraft users continue to be patient as our staff work to meet the inspection and decontamination requirements at Lake Powell during the boating season.  

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