What Changes When We Hit 3,525?
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bob denver
Active Member
3525 has been breached several times today (3-11-22). BoR must be releasing from upstream because the level is yo-yoing somewhat.
For some reason the data seems to be on hold.
For some reason the data seems to be on hold.
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Coho975
Well-Known Member
North Lake Powell Boat Ramp at Bullfrog Under Construction
Completion Anticipated May 2022
BULLFROG, Utah – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is pleased to announce that construction to extend the Bullfrog North boat ramp to reach lower lake levels is beginning this week. The Bullfrog North Ramp is being regraded and permanently extended to the lowest level possible before spring runoff begins. (Spring runoff typically occurs around Easter.)
According to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Superintendent William Shott, “The park remains committed to providing North Lake Powell motorized boater access and is pleased the Bullfrog North Ramp is being permanently extended as far as possible. We join with all our partners and stakeholders in celebrating this important project. We are grateful for the many people who have an interest in recreation on Lake Powell and thank everyone for your understanding and patience during the drought-induced, unprecedented low water levels in 2021.
For safety reasons, the Bullfrog North boat ramp construction zone will be closed to the public beginning the week of March 7. The construction zone will remain closed until the last concrete pour dries. (The amount of ramp extension that is possible will be dependent on the lowest water level reached before spring runoff begins, as no construction will occur in water. The maximum amount of ramp extension possible at this location would reach water elevation 3525 feet.) Use of the ramp will be dependent on lake levels reaching 3525 feet or higher. Information about the status of boat ramps on Lake Powell is available 24/7 at this link: Changing Lake Levels - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)
This seems to contradict itself. Maximum extension to 3525', or usable at 3525'?
bob denver
Active Member
" ... before spring runoff begins. ..."?
Well, last year the runoff raised the level of the reservoir all of 24 inches.
I reckon Shott is clasping at straws. Despite the BoR's 'management' the elevation continues to drop approximately 12 inches every 7 days.
The elevation of Powell is very likely to drop to 3515 by May 20 and, unless there's a huge dump of snow in the coming weeks, the runoff will probably raise the level by four or five feet.
That is to say, 3520 will probably be the maximum elevation, post-runoff, of the surface of Lake Powell in 2022.
The weather is fickle though. Anything could happen in the next month or so.
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Ed_on_WD
Well-Known Member
The way I read this is that they don't intend to extend the ramp past 3,525. The bottom of Bullfrog Bay in that area levels out at around 3,520, so there is insufficient grade to go any deeper.
If the water keeps dropping, it'll end up being Hand Launch Only until the runoff brings the lake level up to the end of the new concrete, and even the it'll be Launch At Your Own Risk.
Eagle Rock
Well-Known Member
No contradiction. They will pour concrete down to the higher of 3525' or the water's edge. Since the water is already at 3525.5 and will be below 3525' by next week, we already know that the lower limit of the concrete will be 3525.' Then they will wait for spring runoff to raise the Lake elevation back above 3525.' Then boats will be able to launch.
This was posted last week from NPS on the boat ramp, they are going to go a low as the water gets. So right now we can assume ramp will go beyond 3525' as it is dropping (lowest level possible):
Bullfrog North Ramp Extension Project: This construction contract includes regrading and permanently extending the Bullfrog North Ramp to the lowest level possible, or 3520, until spring runoff begins (typically Easter, April 17, 2022).
Bullfrog North Ramp Extension Project: This construction contract includes regrading and permanently extending the Bullfrog North Ramp to the lowest level possible, or 3520, until spring runoff begins (typically Easter, April 17, 2022).
bob denver
Active Member
Post runoff, 3520 will be the highest water level for 2022 sometime in mid-June barring an, extremely, above-average late-Spring snowfall.
I'll bet you five quid
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John P Funk
Escalante-Class Member
Bob's back everyone. I prefer Denver to London(less knife crime).
Rainbowbridge
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Methinks Bob's been back a while. Our Lake is an addiction........albeit a 'good' one.
He's been lurking, prowling, making notes to post here during his afternoon tea, and of course gin and tonic at night.
I actually have missed his witticisms and some of his sarcasm..........and especially the old photos he digs up......
Bob Denver.......hmmmmmm when will his brother John Denver show up???
bob denver
Active Member
I promise to tell stuff as I see it. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Your beloved "lake" is below 25 percent full.
bob denver
Active Member
Thanks, Bow - I needed that laughMethinks Bob's been back a while. Our Lake is an addiction........albeit a 'good' one.
He's been lurking, prowling, making notes to post here during his afternoon tea, and of course gin and tonic at night.
I actually have missed his witticisms and some of his sarcasm..........and especially the old photos he digs up......
Bob Denver.......hmmmmmm when will his brother John Denver show up???
Eagle Rock
Well-Known Member
Deal. Loser donates their fiver to the charity of the winner's choice?Post runoff, 3520 will be the highest water level for 2022 sometime in mid-June barring an, extremely, above-average late-Spring snowfall.
I'll bet you five quid
Ed_on_WD
Well-Known Member
I'm guessing that Mead is releasing water to the Senior Water Rights holders, who are starting to irrigate.
Isn't that Gilligan?Methinks Bob's been back a while. Our Lake is an addiction........albeit a 'good' one.
He's been lurking, prowling, making notes to post here during his afternoon tea, and of course gin and tonic at night.
I actually have missed his witticisms and some of his sarcasm..........and especially the old photos he digs up......
Bob Denver.......hmmmmmm when will his brother John Denver show up???
Colorado Expat
Well-Known Member
It could also be for a water call by Mexico, which is guaranteed a certain amount under international treaty. The irrigated growing season starts earlier down near the head of the former Colorado River delta. Mexico's water is actually held and controlled in Lake Mojave, which tends to get topped up at this point in the year.
sparkin5280
Well-Known Member
Hey Bob do want to channel some of that "creative" energy and help plow or shovel my driveway?? Since you're close by in Denver and all 
!
!
Rainbowbridge
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Bob might want some of that ice for his Tangueray.....Hey Bob do want to channel some of that "creative" energy and help plow or shovel my driveway?? Since you're close by in Denver and all
View attachment 17454
Cheers!
Coho975
Well-Known Member
Thats the way I understood it as well, which should make it usable for smaller craft at 3525'. Who knows at this point, nothing to to but wait and see. I'd really hate to disappoint all those walleye though...
Ed_on_WD
Well-Known Member
An interesting overview of issues affecting Lake Powell water levels:
thenevadaindependent.com
There is a collection of laws, treaties, and Supreme Court judgements that govern Bureau of Reclamation decisions in a link in the above article concerning the Law of the River. I've tried to include it as a separate link, but I can't get it to work. It is very informative.
Lake Powell to drop below target level, a troubling sign for Colorado River - The Nevada Independent
Check out current Nevada Environmental News: Lake Powell Dropping Below Target Level Raises Concerns. Read more about the story here.
There is a collection of laws, treaties, and Supreme Court judgements that govern Bureau of Reclamation decisions in a link in the above article concerning the Law of the River. I've tried to include it as a separate link, but I can't get it to work. It is very informative.
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