A quick fix is a poor choice, from the standpoint of liability and future proofing.
Yes, securing the gas dock would be a step toward getting fuel to the public. But spending NPS resources now will do no good when the water level drops far enough to potentially leave the Dangling Rope gas docks inaccessible by next spring. Extending the marina into deeper water will future proof a valuable resource, and spending the money twice is not the best use of limited funds. Yes, a quick fix is possible, but who can guarantee that another big wind won't tear up a quicky fix again next week?
We feel for your frustration, but in the big picture, we'd all be better off if they fixed it one time, and did it correctly. Power needs to be connected, and plumbing for the black water pump out needs to be run up the hill, and both of these need to be extended into deeper water in order to be usable next year. Both of these are jobs that we'd all prefer they didn't rush. Park visitors will be better served if the long term concerns are addressed properly.
The whole Dangling Rope marina needs to be reengineered to upgrade its structural integrity at a new location in deeper water. That might even involve relocating to a new canyon.
We all look forward to our Powell trips. They are big efforts. Yes, your deposits were paid in full one year ago. Those of us who own our houseboats, runabouts, and PWCs are worse off than you are. We paid our LLC fees before the start of the season, plus deposits to our marinas. Our insurance companies aren't going to give us back our premiums if our plans are changed. Our houseboats can't be retrieved on improvised ramps, or launched next year with water levels beyond the reach of ANY ramp on the lake. But we're in it for the long haul.
Contact your credit card company, and start the process to dispute the charges for your reservations. Or, come up with plan "B". Figure out how to carry more fuel. Adapt.
There are no guarantees in this life, or on this lake. Being upset does little to improve a situation that is beyond what any of us has the ability to immediately control. We value our trips enough to dig deep and find solutions for problems that aren't just our own. We'll enjoy our September trip even more, because the adversity of a closed marina will keep many less resourceful folks off the water.
Let me be clear, we aren't looking to cancel our houseboat reservation. As it is any time you go to Powell with 3 houseboats and 36 people, (again, this is our 5th time) you have to go with the flow, and the DR Marina situation is no exception. My problem is the restriction to not go past Padre Bay, and not finding out about that restriction until you show up at the Captain's meeting on your day of departure. (I only know that because of another family member who just came back last week). I'm sorry, but that late disclosure sucks no matter how you want to spin it.
Of course, we'll deal with it, and ultimately have a good time, my point is that there should be more disclosure to us renters, so we can make decisions and adjustments with intelligence. WHY is there not more communication? That is the question. Can anyone answer that? As the organizer of 36 people who have planned this trip for 18 months, with nearly $25,000 in rented houseboats, ski boats, and jet ski fees, do I not have a reason to expect more disclosure when our access to the lake is cut in half well beyond our cancellation date, and the rental company chooses not to tell us until we show up??
I appreciate the negative impact this has on you houseboat owners. You are so deeply invested in the lake that you absolutely have no choice but to take it on the chin, but on the bright side, this is truly a "temporary" situation for you. You may have another week scheduled later in the year, or next year, and the following year, which arguably makes the temporary adjustment a bit more palatable.
In response to JFRCalifornia, as for the option to cancel, 90 days from now would have been April 12, more than a month before the wind event that knocked out the marina, so that truly is not an option, not to mention 36 people committed to the trip with vacation time off work, etc. etc. Yes, it's possible to cancel via credit card if you want to fight it, and I'm pretty sure even a "nicely asked request of the rental company would be rejected if there was a swell of those requests coming in. So for us, while cancellation is an easy reaction suggestion, it's not really practical.
Again, I appreciate the commentary. If nothing else, I'm happy to see some dialogue on the closure since there was not much on WW, or anywhere else for that matter, previously. Ultimately, I'm simply exercising the right to express my opinion and frustration publicly, and for the record, this was simply a copy of the formal note I sent to both senators, not an attempt to reach Mr. Romney and Lee via Wayne's Words, although if they aren't subscribers to WW, they should be, lol. Thanks again to everyone for their contribution to this thread.
here goes another one.