Seven of the last eight years the water flowing into Lake Powell from the Colorado River, and upper basin tributaries, has been in the state of drought. 2002 saw only 25% of average inflow in to the lake. Average is such a misleading word when used in describing events in the desert. Not much average happens here.

This year looks like, while not the end of the drought, to at least be a good water year. As of March 2, 2008 snowpack conditions above Lake Powell are at 124% of normal.

Lake Powell is a huge water storage tank. After all of these years of drought, it is low. That means the lake has been doing it’s job providing water to millions of people and agricultural uses downstream. The lake is currently 110 feet below full and is storing 45% of it’s overall capacity.

A wet spring could see an increase of 50 or more feet of water hit Lake Powell during our spring runoff time. Increase in lake elevation usually begins the end of April and winds up the first week of July. 50 feet would help the lake not only in storage capacity, but in recreational opportunities.

There are plenty of areas to “recreate” on at Lake Powell even with the lower water levels. However, tourism has been down here for several years due to a variety of reasons (another blog). The public perception that Lake Powell is empty, or gone, is but one of them. Maybe, as the lake begins to rise and with the media attention just having been focused here with the floods, we will see more tourists visiting.

 

 

 
This post has been included in Utah Information Kane County, UT Information

2 Comments on Colorado River Spring Runoff and Lake Powell Part 1

I hope you get more tourism and I hope spring fills the lake. I think Lake Powel is beautiful - an amazing place to visit . . .

03/10/2008 11:38 AM by Sharon Paxson (Prudential California Realty)

Sharon ~ Yes I hope they come too. For now, most everything here is tied to tourism. The more tourists are here, the more real estate services we can provide. It never ceases to amaze me how many folks pop in the local grocery store looking for real estate information. The thing is, they have to be here first and higher lake levels mean more tourists. It's our circle of life!

03/10/2008 04:24 PM by Heather Rankin Lake Powell Utah/Arizona Real Estate (ERA Utah Properties)

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Real Estate Agent: Heather Rankin Lake Powell Utah/Arizona Real Estate (ERA Utah Properties)
Heather Rankin Lake Powell Utah/Arizona Real Estate
Big Water, UT
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A blog for Lake Powell Arizona Utah Real Estate. Lake Powell is in Utah and Arizona. Big Water, Utah is the nearest Utah town to Glen Canyon Dam, which creates Lake Powell. Page, Arizona is the closest town on the Arizona side. There is much beauty and outdoor fun to be had while exploring our local real estate market. Also check here for the latest information on the newest Aman Resort, The Amangiri Resort and Spa at Lake Powell.


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