Will the Government shutdown close Lake Powell?

C

colorado

Member
Does anyone have an idea if the government does shut down will they block access to the lake? Google says if the government does shut down that concessions and services will close and possibly lock the gates to enter. We have a trip coming up and looking to see if maybe someone might have inside info.
 
There may be additional considerations. While the park may remain open, emergency assistance is provided by NPS which is Federal. It may become a bit of a”use at your own risk”.

The Utah provision specifically states they may keep lands open “where fiscally viable”. - that’s open to interpretation

Wahweap and Antelope Point are in Arizona, so they could function differently than Halls & Bullfrog

FInally, there’s no telling what approach Aramark will take, high season is over, not a lot of incentive for them to buck the closure

Search this site to see what actions were taken during past shut downs. I don’t have the time right now, but there are threads from previous closures
 
If they shut it down, it will be the first day of our trip. Does that mean we couldn’t pick people up at the ramp that would come out during our trip?

Anyone know if the Utah bill keeping Powell open keeps the ramps on the Az side open?
 
Over the past couple of decades there were two government closures affecting GCNRA, 2013 and 2020:

2013 Budget Impasse
October 2013 GCNRA was closed for 16 days. Signs were placed at entrances. Not sure what access (if any) was permitted for houseboat owners to perform maintenance on their vessels in marinas and mooring fields. But there was no lake access for a 16-day period IMG_1826.jpeg

2020 COVID Closure
Timeline of restrictions and reopenings
  • March 17, 2020: GCNRA announced temporary changes, including closures, to last for at least 30 days.
  • Late March 2020: The Lone Rock Beach primitive camping area was temporarily closed due to concerns over congregating crowds and potential health hazards.
  • Early April 2020: Following a "stay safe, stay home" directive from Utah's governor, GCNRA closed boat ramps and suspended boating on Lake Powell.
  • May 2020: GCNRA began a phased reopening of some boat ramps for day-use only, with concession services and visitor centers remaining closed.
  • Late May 2020: Fee stations and automated fee machines were reactivated. To protect visitors and employees, fee booths were fitted with plastic shields, and manned transactions became card-only.
  • July 2020: The park continued increasing recreational access and services, including reopening access to entrance fee booths at Antelope Point and some marina services.
 
RYCO13 said:
If they shut it down, it will be the first day of our trip. Does that mean we couldn’t pick people up at the ramp that would come out during our trip?

Anyone know if the Utah bill keeping Powell open keeps the ramps on the Az side open?
Click to expand...
If the potential closure is limited to the launch ramps, your late arrivals will likely be able to pass through the gates and meet your houseboat at any convenient beach or dock.

If the potential closure is at the gates, all bets are off and may require some discussion with a ranger at the entrance to gain admission.
 
Well, I'm planning to launch from Stateline Aux on October 13th. Assuming the ramp is still open, and this probably puts me in the wrong thread, how is launching going there? I was there in April, and at 3,558, the ramp was pretty flat/shallow, requiring the truck's front wheels go in the water also. At where things will be at in another couple of weeks, is the ramp any steeper out farther, or still flat?
 
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