The bathtub rings around Lake Powell at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are getting wider and wider, and that's a problem for boaters. NRA officials on Thursday shut down the west half of the Antelope Point launch ramp due to low water levels.
Barricades and cones were placed on the ramp indicating the closed area, the NRA announced. Boaters can continue to launch vessels on the east side of the ramp, but they should still be aware that while the east side of the ramp is open, launching at these water levels is not safe for all sizes of boats.
"Launching is at your own risk," said Cynthia Sequannam, the NRA's information officer. "Should the lake level drop five more feet to an approximate lake elevation of 3,588 feet above sea level, Antelope Point Launch Ramp will close to all launching with boat trailers."
According to the Glen Canyon Institute, as of Wednesday both Lake Powell and Lake Mead down river at Lake Mead National Recreation Area were under half-full, at 46 percent and 42 percent of capacity, respectively. Upper Colorado Basin snow pack, meanwhile, was at 79 percent of the February 18 average.
Comments
Alfred, must agree with Lee, a truly excellent post. Thanks also to Gary. Alfred you remind me of my own professors in college in the early sixties, and believe it or not, many citizens groups are wrestling with this issue today. For example, the Sierra Club has a population committee, it is always listened to within the ranks, but try to talk about population in the political arena!! The answer is lets wait until after the election, of course the next election is right around the corner. I know you already are aware of this, and you are probably right, we need to enjoy what we have. But it is getting harder for many, 80% of US citizens are feeling the pinch, 60% have less wealth than the top 10% (get into the 1% and it is even more alarming), and it is getting worse. In any case thank you, a very thought provoking post, we must keep trying.
Ron - perhaps you should be asking why. Income disparity has worsened dramatically under the current administration. Not that there is anything wrong with income disparity, but there is something wrong with increasing income disparity when the income at the lower end is declining rather than rising as it has been in recent years.
Thanks, Ron. You're right. But of course there will be those who will try to blame income disparity on our current president instead of admitting that it began mostly as a result of policies set in motion by a president who has been gone for something like 26 years. The gigantic snowball of destruction he unleashed will continue to roll for a long time and will crush many in its path. In something so ponderous as world economics, changing anything once it starts is nearly impossible. It's hard to imagine where we would be now following the disastrous years under President Cheney and his little buddy were it not for the efforts of the current administration.
Changing old and misguided water policies and the problems they create will also be equally difficult.
And your evidence of that ? Oh, that's right you don't need evidence, you just need to make it up.
Just shows how ingnorant of US history and politics you are.
Meanwhile the trolls will continue to pick at a few words here and there without offering anything of substance. Just as right now we hear pandering politicians trying to divert attention from the mess they've made by fussing about whether or not we face terrorists who are perverting a world religion and why our President won't use the word Islamic as part of his description of them. In the long run, does that even matter?
Those who try to hold our lands and waters hostage for their own profits use the same tactics. Unfortunately, there are some people gullible enough to actually listen and allow their attention to be diverted. That's how illusionists create their "magic." They divert our attention and, presto, the rabbit is gone.
I'm waiting for some of our trolling friends to respond to J.Thomas' challenge to tell us all what they think needs to be done to solve the woes of Lake Powell. But it's much, much easier to attack than it is to actually seek or even suggest solutions.
Ron, you are an old fire dog. Have you read "Inferno by Committee" by Tom Ribe. An excellent account of the Cerro Grande fire at Bandelier that burned up part of Los Alamos. (Sorry, off topic, I know.)
Yes
Now, tell us what policy of Ronald Reagan 26 years ago is causing incomes to fall today. More empty accusations.
EC, I understand your point of view, this is not the forum to get to deep into the issue, even if I was informed enough to do so, but there are many creditable historians, economists, etc. who disagree with you. The free market economic theories now labeled by many as neo-liberalism (begun with the administration of President Reagan in 1980 with the appointment of Milton Friedman as his chief economic advisor), are contentious and proving out of balance with the general economic health of this and many other nations, according to many. The balance between a free market and the governmental oversight (us) is out of wack. There are many books, essays, lectures on the subject, if you like, send me an email and I will list some you may find interesting, agree with them or not. On the issue of population, we do wring our hands trying to deal with the problem, but evidence shows that the education of all citizens and the empowerment of women particularly, is extremely positive, perhaps our most important social goals. Of course this includes family planning and reproduction (sex) education in our schools, a women's right to make her reproductive health care decisions with her doctor, and the list goes on. Please excuse Traveler, other subscribers, will stop here, these are only my views on the above issues, right or wrong, and not the purpose of this website.
Lee, no I have not, but will order it right away. I was well acquainted with many involved, I know it will be interesting. Thanks.