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Lake Powell Drops to 3,531 Feet as Park Preps Ramps and Bottleneck Warnings

Federal forecasts point to weak spring inflows, prompting Interior to weigh emergency releases or delivery cuts to protect Glen Canyon Dam power.

Overview

  • As of March 1, Lake Powell measured 3,530.9 feet and roughly one-quarter full, with the National Park Service cautioning visitors to expect longer lines and limited services this summer.
  • NPS is extending the Stateline Auxiliary Ramp now and finalizing long-term ramps at Antelope Point Public, Stanton Creek at Bullfrog, and Hite North that will not be ready before summer 2026.
  • Utah and NPS are coordinating a temporary North Wash ramp near Hite for river access, and the park ferry remains closed with only a fraction of launch sites usable.
  • The Bureau of Reclamation projects April–July inflows at about 57% of average and is considering a release of roughly 500,000 acre-feet from upstream reservoirs as soon as May.
  • Officials are also discussing cutting Lower Basin deliveries to about 6 million acre-feet, with Interior poised to decide as interstate talks drag on and hydropower faces risk below 3,490 feet with record-low levels possible by March 2027.