Returned Saturday from ten days at Lake Powell. The water level is the lowest I've seen it and I started fishing there in 1975 when I was stationed at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah. It is sad and depressing to see this jewel of a lake in this condition. I am sure those who live on the lake and earn their living supporting visitors are concerned for their future. However we did catch bass green and brown, walleyes, and stripers so all was not lost. Had to come home and take care of things for a bit, then back for another ten day stint in May. I know, tough duty.
Jim Sargent wrote:
Returned Saturday from ten days at Lake Powell. The water level is the lowest I've seen it and I started fishing there in 1975 when I was stationed at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah. It is sad and depressing to see this jewel of a lake in this condition. I am sure those who live on the lake and earn their living supporting visitors are concerned for their future. However we did catch bass green and brown, walleyes, and stripers so all was not lost. Had to come home and take care of things for a bit, then back for another ten day stint in May. I know, tough duty.
Returned Saturday from ten days at Lake Powell. Th... (
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Sad to hear about the low levels there at Lake Powell. I lived in AZ for 30 years (1985 to 2015) and loved houseboating on that lake. One of the best fishing lakes in AZ because of the variety of fish you can catch there :-)
I live in California now (Bay Area) and plan to be at Lake Powell again in late September for 7 days on a houseboat. Hopefully the lake does not get any lower. Hopefully the monsoon rains will prevent it from getting any lower this year. Thanks for the report, Jim!
I have been watching Powell pretty closely. It is not looking good. The lake normally starts coming up the 1st week of May but the run off is looking dismal. We are supposed to go the last week in July. If the monsoons don't produce a miracle the trip may not happen. The lake is at 3563'. 3556' is absolute minimum to launch at Wahweap. Predictions are 3550' by the end of the year.
kfsrmn wrote:
I have been watching Powell pretty closely. It is not looking good. The lake normally starts coming up the 1st week of May but the run off is looking dismal. We are supposed to go the last week in July. If the monsoons don't produce a miracle the trip may not happen. The lake is at 3563'. 3556' is absolute minimum to launch at Wahweap. Predictions are 3550' by the end of the year.
All south lake traffic must pass through the narrows since Castle Rock cut is closed. The Antelope Point public ramp is high and dry. I can't imagine how crowded and rough it will be when the numbers increase with warm weather. If you are renting a houseboat and haven't yet finalized I would consider renting from Antelope Point to avoid some of the mess.
Jim Sargent wrote:
All south lake traffic must pass through the narrows since Castle Rock cut is closed. The Antelope Point public ramp is high and dry. I can't imagine how crowded and rough it will be when the numbers increase with warm weather. If you are renting a houseboat and haven't yet finalized I would consider renting from Antelope Point to avoid some of the mess.
We plan on launching out of Bullfrog at the end of September. Our houseboat has been reserved for then. How is it looking up there?
When I lived in Utah I used Bullfrog nearly always. Since I retired in 2016 to Payson, AZ I go to Page. As of last week Bullfrog main ramp is closed and they are using the Executive ramp which means a mile plus walk to and from parking.
Jim Sargent wrote:
When I lived in Utah I used Bullfrog nearly always. Since I retired in 2016 to Payson, AZ I go to Page. As of last week Bullfrog main ramp is closed and they are using the Executive ramp which means a mile plus walk to and from parking.
Wow! I wonder if they will cancel any reservations made for houseboat rentals if it gets worse? We are wondering how we would load our supplies on those houseboat rentals if we aren't cancelled. Hmmmm
I saw a recent aerial photo of the narrows and they are getting narrower. Multiple houseboats will be a mess. I think a lot of them will get damaged or grounded trying to get to the canyons. Big boats, inexperienced operators and low water is not a good combination.
Elefantdude wrote:
Wow! I wonder if they will cancel any reservations made for houseboat rentals if it gets worse? We are wondering how we would load our supplies on those houseboat rentals if we aren't cancelled. Hmmmm
The last few times I have rented a houseboat it was at Antelope Point. They provide complimentary golf cart type shuttles to move your gear.
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