In the news - 54 feet sounds iffy… FG set to dump up to 1 million AF

[Colorado Expat]

Seems like they could do a combination of options 5 and 6 on a temporary basis until one of the more expensive options are undertaken. The most important considerations for all of the options are Authority and Funding and are likely to be the final arbitrars.

Alternative 3 would solve the current problems on a long-term basis, without risking structural damage to the dam. It would obviously involve a lot of tunneling, but the sandstones at Glen Canyon are much softer stuff than the metamorphic formations at Lake Mead, where Las Vegas already bored a 3-mile long, lower elevation intake in 2015 that allows their municipal water system to continue diverting even if Lake Mead hits dead pool. The cost for the Vegas tunnel was $1.5 billion, but I could see the Lower Basin states chipping in for something like this on a cost-share with BOR if it guaranteed them more reliable deliveries under the Compact.

 

[Eagle Rock]

I’m
Pretty sure poor interpretation of the information.
I think somewhere there was a reference to worst case and best case from this and there was a 54 foot difference.
Not really 54 feet more water. From what I have gathered The increased releases in no way could add 54 feet. JFR has done some breakdowns and it is much less that that number of 54 feet! I trust his math much better!

See my previous comment, and JFR's response to it. The "54 feet" refers to the difference between the March 2027 minimum reservoir level under the rules before last Friday (3456') and the level with the proposed changes to increase Flaming Gorge releases and decrease Glen Canyon releases, which would result in a March 2027 level of 3510'. It's not 54 feet from current levels, but it is 54' above what would otherwise happen. Remember, the lower Powell is, the less water it takes to make a 1' difference!

 

[woodhead]

So we were just informed by north lake powell (offshore) that they will not be launching any house boats until the lake level gets up to 3530. We’re now starting to wonder if we are going to be able to launch this year at all. If the level jumps up to 3530 stays above there for a month then drops again below that we will be stuck on the lake or have to pull it so we don’t get stuck. Sad times for the lake for sure.

 

[JFRCalifornia]

So we were just informed by north lake powell (offshore) that they will not be launching any house boats until the lake level gets up to 3530. We’re now starting to wonder if we are going to be able to launch this year at all. If the level jumps up to 3530 stays above there for a month then drops again below that we will be stuck on the lake or have to pull it so we don’t get stuck. Sad times for the lake for sure.

I very much doubt the lake will reach 3530 at any point this year... more likely it will stay in the 3520s for much of the summer, then slowly regress from there toward 3505-3510 by spring 2027...

 

[Dr. Love]

So we were just informed by north lake powell (offshore) that they will not be launching any house boats until the lake level gets up to 3530. We’re now starting to wonder if we are going to be able to launch this year at all. If the level jumps up to 3530 stays above there for a month then drops again below that we will be stuck on the lake or have to pull it so we don’t get stuck. Sad times for the lake for sure.

Sorry to take the thread on a tangent but JNB has still been launching because they own a trailer that sits 3-4 feet lower than Offshore's. You might want to check with them. JNB will be much more expensive than OffShore but you will have your boat in the water. If you're worried about getting stuck on the lake you should be able to motor downlake to Wahweap and take your boat out for another year or two.

 

[Rainbowbridge]

Sorry to take the thread on a tangent but JNB has still been launching because they own a trailer that sits 3-4 feet lower than Offshore's. You might want to check with them. JNB will be much more expensive than OffShore but you will have your boat in the water. If you're worried about getting stuck on the lake you should be able to motor downlake to Wahweap and take your boat out for another year or two.

Sobering, but perhaps an effective (& expensive) work around. Wonder what % of folks will do this....?

 

[Cha]

Sobering, but perhaps an effective (& expensive) work around. Wonder what % of folks will do this....?

This is exactly what our ownership group did 6 weeks ago after 20 years up North - truly heartbreaking.