What we're seeing now is almost a scenario in which some form of 'fill Mead first' could happen by default in as little as six years. Between the drought years of , Lake Powell lost 13 million acre-feet of water and dropped almost feet, about one-fifth of its maximum depth.
A repeat dry spell could decimate what remains. Despite a number of high-profile dam removals along America's rivers recently, allowing Glen Canyon Dam to cease operations is no small decision. It would likely take a major rework of the laws that govern the Colorado River. That's a political minefield. The proposal to "fill Mead first" divides water experts and managers, with each side wielding dueling analyses.
Despite the consternation, the Colorado River Basin is already feeling the impacts of a changing climate, and many states are preparing for a future with less water.
Whether they support "fill Mead first" or not, nearly everyone is acknowledging that sooner or later there will come a time when even far-fetched options will have to be considered. The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the West. It spans seven states and together with its tributaries provides water to more than 40 million people.
It also quenches 5. Who gets water, and from where and how much, is dictated by the Law of the River, which consists of state and federal law, treaties and compacts.
It's as convoluted as the watershed. The hallmark doctrine is the Colorado River Compact, which divided the Colorado River into the upper and lower basins and chose Lee's Ferry, Ariz. It allocates a total of Later, the Mexican Water Treaty of tacked on a 1. The problems start there. When the architects of the compact constructed the deal, they exacerbated future concerns over water availability by relying on hydrologic data compiled during the 10 wettest of the past years to choose the Over the last 10 years, the Colorado River has put out approximately The imbalance between what the river actual provides and what's outlined in the compact is often referred to as a "structural deficit.
On top of that, the number of people living in regions that rely on the river for water has grown exponentially. And it's not stopping. In its Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study , the Bureau of Reclamation projected that the region's population is expected to increase from about 40 million in to between Water demand would jump to Climate science provides another grim, but murky, picture of the future.
Lee established ferryboat service across the Colorado River where Lees Ferry is today, providing the first accessible canyon crossing. Rainbow Bridge, the world's largest natural stone bridge was "discovered" by the Douglas-Cummings expedition. Many Native American Tribes already knew of the bridge's existence and had passed stories down about its creation for centuries. On May 30, , President William H.
Taft designated Rainbow Bridge as a National Monument. At ' wide and standing ' above the streambed, Rainbow Bridge remains a favorite Lake Powell destination today. Eisenhower pressed a button from the White House, detonating the first powder charge. The two diversion tunnels at Glen Canyon Dam are closed to allow Lake Powell to begin filling, which also led to the creation of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a popular summer destination.
Lake Powell is named after Major John Wesley Powell, who charted most of the area during two expeditions in and Rainbow Bridge — Also within the southern reaches of the park, Rainbow Bridge is perhaps the region's most sacred place. An official National Monument as of , Rainbow Bridge's perceived purposes, ancient lore, and haunting stories are best heard through a tour or with a Navajo guide within the park. Those looking for lodging at Lake Powell on a houseboat have two phenomenal choices recommended by visitors.
Both offer a superior selection of fully equipped houseboat rentals on Lake Powell that accommodate families of all sizes, yet Antelope Point's offerings are known for their over-the-top luxury amenities and larger vessels. The Lake Powell Resort at the Wahweap Marina is the ideal respite for landlubbers who opt to skip the houseboat experience. Right in the heart of the action and just minutes from Page, Arizona, the Lake Powell Resort features restaurants, spa services, and offers guided tours and adventures on land and water for guests.
The gorgeous views over Bullfrog Bay and Lake Powell from the Defiance House Lodge are only surpassed by the properties fantastically remodeled rooms and its proximity to all the modern conveniences of home. This low-key lodging at Lake Powell allows guests to focus on outdoor excursions, rather than in-room distractions.
Lake Powell tours are available everywhere offering everything from fishing tours to flights over Lake Powell. Lake Powell Find out how Lake Powell became a go-to, Read More Find out how Lake Powell became a go-to,
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