Lake Powell’s declining levels will affect summer recreation, potential future energy output

The Glen Canyon Dam in April 2022. Photo: Bureau of Reclamation

PARK CITY, Utah — Lake Powell’s shrinking shoreline is reshaping both summer recreation and the long-term future of the Colorado River. With water levels 29 feet lower than this time last year, the National Park Service is warning boaters that popular launch sites such as Halls Crossing may be inoperable as soon as early August.

“Seasonal water level changes are becoming more pronounced,” NPS officials said in a July 23 release. To keep boating possible, NPS crews are extending ramps and adjusting floating docks, but they caution visitors to confirm ramp conditions before arriving.

Boaters are encouraged to know the minimum water depth required for launching their boat and check the operational status of launch sites before arriving. Visitors can check water levels at the Bureau of Reclamation’s Lake Powell Water Level Forecast.

While the immediate concern for many is getting boats in the water, the stakes extend far beyond recreation. If the lake drops below 3,490 feet, water won’t be able to flow through the dam to spin turbines that generate essential electricity for roughly 450,000 homes each year.

At a June 26 meeting in Salt Lake City, the Upper Colorado River Commission (UCRC) sounded alarms about worsening hydrologic forecasts and the urgent need for a post-2026 water management framework that reflects reality rather than demand.

Commissioners from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming warned that current conditions mirror the near-crisis years of 2021–2022, with unregulated inflows to Lake Powell projected to be less than 54% of the 30-year average.

“The quantification of hydrologic shortage is incredibly important,” said Becky Mitchell, commissioner for Colorado. “No amount of lawyering is going to fix the math problem… We must live with the river we have, not the river we want.”

The commissioners stressed that long-term solutions require consensus among Basin States, Tribal Nations, and other stakeholders. As negotiations continue on the Colorado River’s post-2026 guidelines, officials emphasize that lasting solutions must recognize the river’s limited supply while ensuring compliance with long-standing compact obligations.