Dropping levels at Lake Powell have forced the closure of the Stateline Boat Launch to motorized vessels/NPS file

A long-running drought that already has dropped the level of Lake Powell at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah and Arizona by roughly 41 feet from a year ago has forced the closure of the Stateline Launch Ramp to motorized vessels.

The closure that took effect Monday (May 17) will remain in effect until further notice and is due to revised projections from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and lake levels lowering faster than previously predicted. On May 12, the Stateline Launch Ramp had approximately 3 feet of water depth ending at approximately 3,558 elevation. Alternative launching facilities for motorized vessels are located at the Wahweap Marina, located approximately 1.5 miles south of the Stateline Launch Ramp area.

The Stateline Launch Ramp will remain open to non-motorized vessels (e.g., canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards). Owners of non-motorized watercraft are advised to clean, drain, and dry their equipment to remove quagga mussels.

The Stateline Launch Ramp is located at the Utah-Arizona border and is accessed off Highway 89 between Page and Greenehaven, Arizona. Boaters are asked to avoid the fenced construction zone located on the north side of the Stateline Launch Ramp. The construction zone is a staging area to assemble dock sections to be barged to Dangling Rope for replacement of that dock system.

The park’s busy season is underway, and visitors are advised to expect congestion and exercise caution in all visitor use areas. Dangers of the spring season require park visitors to monitor changing weather conditions and lake levels. Always approach the shore with caution and watch for shallows and submerged debris. More safety information is available here: Safety - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov); and here: Ten Things You Need To Know Before You Boat. Please follow Leave No Trace principles.