Ongoing declines in water flowing through the Colorado River basin have National Park Service officials striving to respond to dropping water levels, which in turn are costing the agency hundreds of millions of dollars to enable boaters to reach lakes Powell and Mead.
The two reservoirs are less than two-thirds full, with further declines anticipated before spring runoff begins. Compounding the water flow problems created by diversions and climate-change impacts are disagreements between the Upper and Lower basin states on how best to manage a dwindling, invaluable, resource.
Against that backdrop, the Park Service is doing what it can to ensure recreational access to Powell and Mead.
At Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, "the National Park Service's focus remains on sustaining boating access and visitor services across the park, including operations at Hemenway Harbor, Callville Bay Marina, Echo Bay, Temple Bar Marina, and South Cove to the extent feasible," the National Parks Traveler was told.
"As part of that effort, construction began at Hemenway Harbor last summer to extend the launch ramp and help maintain access as conditions change. Lake levels are closely monitored, and NPS operations continue to be adjusted as needed to support safe recreation while protecting park resources," the Park Service said.
Two years ago Lake Mead officials adopted a plan to "maintain recreational motorboat access in the event water declines to 950 feet." As of Tuesday, the elevation was 1061.76 feet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which straddles the Utah-Arizona border, the Park Service has spent more than $100 million in recent years to extend boat ramps and relocate a takeout for river runners coming down the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park.
"The public is encouraged to make informed decisions before they plan their visit to Lake Powell by viewing lake level data on the Bureau of Reclamation website at 40-Day Data | Water Operations | UC Region | Bureau of Reclamation and projected reservoir levels at 24-Month Study | Upper Colorado Basin | Bureau of Reclamation," the Park Servicxe said.
"The park secured funding through several avenues for projects that are at different stages of development to ensure continued access to the water and facilities during low water conditions," the Traveler was told. "Details on current project status can be found at https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/project-updates.htm. The park is also working with the states and concessioners on temporary ramps and ramp extensions. The State of Utah is installing a temporary ramp at North Wash to be used while North Hite Ramp is constructed, and Aramark is planning to extend Stateline Auxiliary Ramp in Wahweap if needed."
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