Lake Powell - Rising Water Level

[AguaSki]

The local news ran a story over the weekend about rising water levels at Powell. One of the things mentioned in the story is that hydrologist are predicting that the snow pack in the Rock Mountains is sufficient to raise Powell's water level by the 50 feet needed to open the Castle Rock short cut from Wahweep. I already have reservations to camp at Wahweep for the Memorial Day Holiday. Any guesses if the the Castle Rock short cut will be open that early in the season? I am guessing Memorial Day is a little early, and it may take until mid to late June before the water level is high enough to take advantage of the short cut.

 

[azlakes]

Re: Lake Powell - Rising Water Level

... great news indeed! how far does this still make Rainbow bridge from seeing water?

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Lake Powell - Rising Water Level

I heard mid July for it to have enough water to be passable.
And Lake Mead is gonna get a whole 10'. That's better than losing 10'.

 

[QC]

Re: Lake Powell - Rising Water Level

... great news indeed! how far does this still make Rainbow bridge from seeing water?

Another 50 . . .

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Lake Powell - Rising Water Level

I heard mid July for it to have enough water to be passable.

Bummer, but thats what I expected.

It has been about 15 years since I last went to Lake Powell, so in a lot ways this will be a first experience for me. With that said, is it worth trailering out of the Wahweep campground to launch at the new Antelope marina? With a ramp just a few hundred yards away from my campsite, I would like to launch at Wahweep, but I have heard good things about the Antelope launch. Most of what I want to see is further up the lake, and I am thinking an Antelope launch will conserve a little gas, and position me at a better starting point. Anyone know what the launch fees are at Antelope?

 

[My Way]

Re: Lake Powell - Rising Water Level

try googling wayneswords, it is a website bullitinboard dedicated to Powell.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Lake Powell - Rising Water Level

If the Castle short cut isn't open yet, and it probably won't be, Antelope is a great alternative. Not only does it cut off mileage, but it keeps you from having to run "The Gaulntlet" in the narrows between the dam and Antelope Canyon. Antelope has a public and private ramp. There is a fee for the private ramp and they launch your boat for you and vallet park your car. The public ramp is free, but you still have to pay your park entrance fee. You will have already paid that fee if you're staying at Wahweep. The bad part about Antelope is it doesn't launch in a no wake zone. The immediate area is buoy'd off, but boat are zooming by out in the channel.

If you plan on launching from Wahweep and going up river, you need at least a 17 to 19' boat to be safe and even then you need to be REALLY careful and have a light load. I wouldn't take anything smaller through there. Make sure your bilge pump is working and have a backup. One way to avoid the danger on that stretch is go through there at night after all the tourist charters are done for the day.

Good luck and have a great time.