You've likely seen this
stunning photo showing the low
-water levels at Lake Powell stunning photo showing the low
-water levels at Lake Powell
-- stranding launch ramps and -water levels at Lake Powell
-- stranding launch ramps and
raising lots of concerns. -- stranding launch ramps and
raising lots of concerns.
Despite spring runoff - the raising lots of concerns.
Despite spring runoff - the
lake continues to -drop. Despite spring runoff - the
lake continues to -drop.
It's adding to the -fears lake continues to -drop.
It's adding to the -fears
of boaters--- and It's adding to the -fears
of boaters--- and
environmentalists. Is of boaters--- and
environmentalists. Is
Utah's favorite boating environmentalists. Is
Utah's favorite boating
destination in deep trouble? Utah's favorite boating
destination in deep trouble?
Science & Nature destination in deep trouble?
Science & Nature
Specialist John Hollenhorst Science & Nature
Specialist John Hollenhorst
and photographer Ken Fall look Specialist John Hollenhorst
and photographer Ken Fall look
into that question and take us and photographer Ken Fall look
into that question and take us
to a once hidden place that's into that question and take us
to a once hidden place that's
emerging from the water. to a once hidden place that's
emerging from the water.
1:09-132:54-58 3:24-284:22-26 emerging from the water.
1:09-132:54-58 3:24-284:22-26
Richard Kass, Grand 1:09-132:54-58 3:24-284:22-26
Richard Kass, Grand
Junction, Colorado: "WE'VE Richard Kass, Grand
Junction, Colorado: "WE'VE
BEEN COMING SINCE 1980, 1983. Junction, Colorado: "WE'VE
BEEN COMING SINCE 1980, 1983.
SO WE'VE BEEN HERE QUITE BEEN COMING SINCE 1980, 1983.
SO WE'VE BEEN HERE QUITE
OFTEN." They come by the SO WE'VE BEEN HERE QUITE
OFTEN." They come by the
millions to enjoy sky-blue OFTEN." They come by the
millions to enjoy sky-blue
water in a red rock desert. millions to enjoy sky-blue
water in a red rock desert.
The dammed up waters of the water in a red rock desert.
The dammed up waters of the
Colorado River. A The dammed up waters of the
Colorado River. A
shimmering man-made jewel for Colorado River. A
shimmering man-made jewel for
boaters. But there's a lot shimmering man-made jewel for
boaters. But there's a lot
less Lake Powell than there boaters. But there's a lot
less Lake Powell than there
used to be. Richard Kass, less Lake Powell than there
used to be. Richard Kass,
Grand Junction, Colorado: "IT used to be. Richard Kass,
Grand Junction, Colorado: "IT
MAKES YOU CRY." The level Grand Junction, Colorado: "IT
MAKES YOU CRY." The level
dropped 140 vertical feet in MAKES YOU CRY." The level
dropped 140 vertical feet in
the last two decades, 40 feet dropped 140 vertical feet in
the last two decades, 40 feet
just since last year, and it's the last two decades, 40 feet
just since last year, and it's
projected to go much lower just since last year, and it's
projected to go much lower
over the next year.. Heather projected to go much lower
over the next year.. Heather
Patno, Hydraulic Engineer, over the next year.. Heather
Patno, Hydraulic Engineer,
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: Patno, Hydraulic Engineer,
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation:
"WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A U.S. Bureau of Reclamation:
"WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A
FAIRLY SEVERE DROUGHT OVER THE "WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A
FAIRLY SEVERE DROUGHT OVER THE
LAST 20 YEARS." This year FAIRLY SEVERE DROUGHT OVER THE
LAST 20 YEARS." This year
it will drop to its lowest LAST 20 YEARS." This year
it will drop to its lowest
since first filling a it will drop to its lowest
since first filling a
half-century ago.... since first filling a
half-century ago....
...revealing surprises hidden half-century ago....
...revealing surprises hidden
for years underwater. The ...revealing surprises hidden
for years underwater. The
reservoir is now one-third for years underwater. The
reservoir is now one-third
full, stranding floats and reservoir is now one-third
full, stranding floats and
buoys... ...leaving some full, stranding floats and
buoys... ...leaving some
shoreline facilities far from buoys... ...leaving some
shoreline facilities far from
the water's edge. The main shoreline facilities far from
the water's edge. The main
parking area for Bullfrog the water's edge. The main
parking area for Bullfrog
Marina is now a half-mile from parking area for Bullfrog
Marina is now a half-mile from
the docks. Richard Kass, Marina is now a half-mile from
the docks. Richard Kass,
Grand Junction, Colorado: "TWO- the docks. Richard Kass,
Grand Junction, Colorado: "TWO-
THIRDS OF BULLFROG BAY IS, YOU Grand Junction, Colorado: "TWO-
THIRDS OF BULLFROG BAY IS, YOU
CAN'T ACCESS IT COMPARED TO THIRDS OF BULLFROG BAY IS, YOU
CAN'T ACCESS IT COMPARED TO
WHAT YOU COULD EVEN LAST CAN'T ACCESS IT COMPARED TO
WHAT YOU COULD EVEN LAST
YEAR." Much of the lake is WHAT YOU COULD EVEN LAST
YEAR." Much of the lake is
still hundreds of feet deep, YEAR." Much of the lake is
still hundreds of feet deep,
it's still huge, and still still hundreds of feet deep,
it's still huge, and still
providing what the National it's still huge, and still
providing what the National
Park Service calls "abundant providing what the National
Park Service calls "abundant
recreation opportunities," Park Service calls "abundant
recreation opportunities,"
although with new navigation recreation opportunities,"
although with new navigation
challenges. Richard Kass, although with new navigation
challenges. Richard Kass,
Grand Junction, Colorado: "YOU challenges. Richard Kass,
Grand Junction, Colorado: "YOU
HAVE TO TREAT IT LIKE A NEW Grand Junction, Colorado: "YOU
HAVE TO TREAT IT LIKE A NEW
LAKE." The park service HAVE TO TREAT IT LIKE A NEW
LAKE." The park service
has decades of experience LAKE." The park service
has decades of experience
adjusting facilities to has decades of experience
adjusting facilities to
fluctuating water levels. But adjusting facilities to
fluctuating water levels. But
this year is something else. fluctuating water levels. But
this year is something else.
The Antelope Point and this year is something else.
The Antelope Point and
Stateline launch ramps are The Antelope Point and
Stateline launch ramps are
high and dry. John Stateline launch ramps are
high and dry. John
Hollenhorst: "CLEARLY IT'S NOT high and dry. John
Hollenhorst: "CLEARLY IT'S NOT
THE WAY THE RAMP WAS Hollenhorst: "CLEARLY IT'S NOT
THE WAY THE RAMP WAS
ORIGINALLY DESIGNED." THE WAY THE RAMP WAS
ORIGINALLY DESIGNED."
At the Utah end, the Halls ORIGINALLY DESIGNED."
At the Utah end, the Halls
Crossing ramp is open... At the Utah end, the Halls
Crossing ramp is open...
... but Utah's most important Crossing ramp is open...
... but Utah's most important
ramp, the Bullfrog main ramp ... but Utah's most important
ramp, the Bullfrog main ramp
is closed. The ramp, the Bullfrog main ramp
is closed. The
substitute ramp is normally is closed. The
substitute ramp is normally
used for houseboats Esteban substitute ramp is normally
used for houseboats Esteban
Hernandez, Eagle Mountain: used for houseboats Esteban
Hernandez, Eagle Mountain:
"IT'S NOT TOO MUCH OF A Hernandez, Eagle Mountain:
"IT'S NOT TOO MUCH OF A
HASSLE." But it's only two "IT'S NOT TOO MUCH OF A
HASSLE." But it's only two
lanes wide instead of 6 or 7. HASSLE." But it's only two
lanes wide instead of 6 or 7.
"Plan ahead" for congestion, lanes wide instead of 6 or 7.
"Plan ahead" for congestion,
the park service says, "Plan ahead" for congestion,
the park service says,
especially Memorial Day the park service says,
especially Memorial Day
weekend. Still for Lake Powell especially Memorial Day
weekend. Still for Lake Powell
lovers there's lots of lake... weekend. Still for Lake Powell
lovers there's lots of lake...
Esteban Hernandez, Eagle lovers there's lots of lake...
Esteban Hernandez, Eagle
Mountain: MUCH THE SAME OLD Esteban Hernandez, Eagle
Mountain: MUCH THE SAME OLD
LAKE." ...and plenty to Mountain: MUCH THE SAME OLD
LAKE." ...and plenty to
love.Richard Kass, Grand LAKE." ...and plenty to
love.Richard Kass, Grand
Junction, Colorado: "THERE'S love.Richard Kass, Grand
Junction, Colorado: "THERE'S
JUST LESS WATER. THERE'S A LOT Junction, Colorado: "THERE'S
JUST LESS WATER. THERE'S A LOT
MORE BEACHES. AND THE JUST LESS WATER. THERE'S A LOT
MORE BEACHES. AND THE
FISHING'S BEEN REALLY GOOD." MORE BEACHES. AND THE
FISHING'S BEEN REALLY GOOD."
These boaters were FISHING'S BEEN REALLY GOOD."
These boaters were
delighted to find --- emerging These boaters were
delighted to find --- emerging
from the water--- just the top delighted to find --- emerging
from the water--- just the top
of Gregory Natural Bridge, one from the water--- just the top
of Gregory Natural Bridge, one
of the world's largest. Dr. of Gregory Natural Bridge, one
of the world's largest. Dr.
Richard Ingebretsen, Founder, of the world's largest. Dr.
Richard Ingebretsen, Founder,
Glen Canyon Institute: "THIS Richard Ingebretsen, Founder,
Glen Canyon Institute: "THIS
BEAUTIFUL ARCH WILL BE Glen Canyon Institute: "THIS
BEAUTIFUL ARCH WILL BE
RESTORED. WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE BEAUTIFUL ARCH WILL BE
RESTORED. WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE
IT NEXT YEAR." Yes, these RESTORED. WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE
IT NEXT YEAR." Yes, these
boaters pretty much hate Lake IT NEXT YEAR." Yes, these
boaters pretty much hate Lake
Powell. Dr. Richard boaters pretty much hate Lake
Powell. Dr. Richard
Ingebretsen, Founder, Glen Powell. Dr. Richard
Ingebretsen, Founder, Glen
Canyon Institute: "SOCIETY IS Ingebretsen, Founder, Glen
Canyon Institute: "SOCIETY IS
GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH Canyon Institute: "SOCIETY IS
GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH
JUST HOW STUPID IT WAS TO GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH
JUST HOW STUPID IT WAS TO
BUILD THAT DAM." Eric JUST HOW STUPID IT WAS TO
BUILD THAT DAM." Eric
Balken, Glen Canyon Institute: BUILD THAT DAM." Eric
Balken, Glen Canyon Institute:
"SORT OF ROLLS OUT LIKE A BIG Balken, Glen Canyon Institute:
"SORT OF ROLLS OUT LIKE A BIG
VASE." A revered "SORT OF ROLLS OUT LIKE A BIG
VASE." A revered
destination, the "Cathedral in VASE." A revered
destination, the "Cathedral in
the Desert," submerged for destination, the "Cathedral in
the Desert," submerged for
decades. Dr. Richard the Desert," submerged for
decades. Dr. Richard
Ingebretsen, Founder, Glen decades. Dr. Richard
Ingebretsen, Founder, Glen
Canyon Institute: "OH, IT'S Ingebretsen, Founder, Glen
Canyon Institute: "OH, IT'S
BEAUTIFUL. IT'S SPECTACULAR." Canyon Institute: "OH, IT'S
BEAUTIFUL. IT'S SPECTACULAR."
Eric Balken, Glen Canyon BEAUTIFUL. IT'S SPECTACULAR."
Eric Balken, Glen Canyon
Institute: "I MEAN, SEEING Eric Balken, Glen Canyon
Institute: "I MEAN, SEEING
'CATHEDRAL IN THE DESERT' COME Institute: "I MEAN, SEEING
'CATHEDRAL IN THE DESERT' COME
OUT OF THE WATER, IT JUST 'CATHEDRAL IN THE DESERT' COME
OUT OF THE WATER, IT JUST
REALLY MOVES YOU. YOU CAN'T OUT OF THE WATER, IT JUST
REALLY MOVES YOU. YOU CAN'T
HELP BUT BE TAKEN BY THIS REALLY MOVES YOU. YOU CAN'T
HELP BUT BE TAKEN BY THIS
PLACE." Before the dam, HELP BUT BE TAKEN BY THIS
PLACE." Before the dam,
only hikers and river-runners PLACE." Before the dam,
only hikers and river-runners
ever saw this. Frank Culver, only hikers and river-runners
ever saw this. Frank Culver,
Newport Beach, CA.: "I MEAN, ever saw this. Frank Culver,
Newport Beach, CA.: "I MEAN,
HOW DO YOU BEAT SOMETHING LIKE Newport Beach, CA.: "I MEAN,
HOW DO YOU BEAT SOMETHING LIKE
THIS?" SOUNDUP OF INDIAN HOW DO YOU BEAT SOMETHING LIKE
THIS?" SOUNDUP OF INDIAN
FLUTE MUSIC JOHN HOLLENHORST: THIS?" SOUNDUP OF INDIAN
FLUTE MUSIC JOHN HOLLENHORST:
"THIS PLACE STILL ISN'T WHAT FLUTE MUSIC JOHN HOLLENHORST:
"THIS PLACE STILL ISN'T WHAT
IT ONCE WAS. OVER THE LAST 50 "THIS PLACE STILL ISN'T WHAT
IT ONCE WAS. OVER THE LAST 50
YEARS LAKE POWELL HAS IT ONCE WAS. OVER THE LAST 50
YEARS LAKE POWELL HAS
DEPOSITED AT LEAST 20 TO 30 YEARS LAKE POWELL HAS
DEPOSITED AT LEAST 20 TO 30
FEET OF SEDIMENT ON THE FLOOR DEPOSITED AT LEAST 20 TO 30
FEET OF SEDIMENT ON THE FLOOR
OF THE CATHEDRAL." Dr. Richard FEET OF SEDIMENT ON THE FLOOR
OF THE CATHEDRAL." Dr. Richard
Ingebretsen, Founder, Glen OF THE CATHEDRAL." Dr. Richard
Ingebretsen, Founder, Glen
Canyon Institute: "THE FUTURE Ingebretsen, Founder, Glen
Canyon Institute: "THE FUTURE
COURSE OF THIS WHOLE AREA IS Canyon Institute: "THE FUTURE
COURSE OF THIS WHOLE AREA IS
RESTORATION. AND IT WILL COURSE OF THIS WHOLE AREA IS
RESTORATION. AND IT WILL
RESTORE VERY QUICKLY." RESTORATION. AND IT WILL
RESTORE VERY QUICKLY."
Heather Patno, Hydraulic RESTORE VERY QUICKLY."
Heather Patno, Hydraulic
Engineer, U.S. Bureau of Heather Patno, Hydraulic
Engineer, U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation: "THE RESERVOIRS Engineer, U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation: "THE RESERVOIRS
ARE DOING WHAT THEY WERE Reclamation: "THE RESERVOIRS
ARE DOING WHAT THEY WERE
INTENDED TO DO, WHAT THEY HAVE ARE DOING WHAT THEY WERE
INTENDED TO DO, WHAT THEY HAVE
BEEN INTENDED TO DO." INTENDED TO DO, WHAT THEY HAVE
BEEN INTENDED TO DO."
Without Glen Canyon Dam, says BEEN INTENDED TO DO."
Without Glen Canyon Dam, says
Heather Patno of the Bureau of Without Glen Canyon Dam, says
Heather Patno of the Bureau of
Reclamation, 20 years of Heather Patno of the Bureau of
Reclamation, 20 years of
drought would have taken a Reclamation, 20 years of
drought would have taken a
huge toll. Heather Patno: drought would have taken a
huge toll. Heather Patno:
"TODAY, THERE WOULD BE NO huge toll. Heather Patno:
"TODAY, THERE WOULD BE NO
WATER LEFT TO DISTRIBUTE TO "TODAY, THERE WOULD BE NO
WATER LEFT TO DISTRIBUTE TO
THE 40 MILLION PEOPLE WHO WATER LEFT TO DISTRIBUTE TO
THE 40 MILLION PEOPLE WHO
DEPEND ON THE COLORADO RIVER." THE 40 MILLION PEOPLE WHO
DEPEND ON THE COLORADO RIVER."
But things are bad enough DEPEND ON THE COLORADO RIVER."
But things are bad enough
that 3 states downstream--- But things are bad enough
that 3 states downstream---
California, Nevada, Arizona--- that 3 states downstream---
California, Nevada, Arizona---
will likely be forced to California, Nevada, Arizona---
will likely be forced to
implement tough conservation will likely be forced to
implement tough conservation
measures. Many scientists implement tough conservation
measures. Many scientists
say global warming will make measures. Many scientists
say global warming will make
it even dryer. Patno isn't say global warming will make
it even dryer. Patno isn't
convinced. Heather Patno: it even dryer. Patno isn't
convinced. Heather Patno:
"AS YOU'RE LOOKING AT CLIMATE convinced. Heather Patno:
"AS YOU'RE LOOKING AT CLIMATE
CHANGE SCENARIOS INTO THE "AS YOU'RE LOOKING AT CLIMATE
CHANGE SCENARIOS INTO THE
FUTURE, SOME OF THOSE ARE CHANGE SCENARIOS INTO THE
FUTURE, SOME OF THOSE ARE
WETTER." Heather Patno: "SO FUTURE, SOME OF THOSE ARE
WETTER." Heather Patno: "SO
WE WOULD BE MANAGING NOT ONLY WETTER." Heather Patno: "SO
WE WOULD BE MANAGING NOT ONLY
FOR EXTREME DROUGHT, BUT FOR WE WOULD BE MANAGING NOT ONLY
FOR EXTREME DROUGHT, BUT FOR
EXTREME FLOODING AS WELL." FOR EXTREME DROUGHT, BUT FOR
EXTREME FLOODING AS WELL."
Leslie Hernandez, Eagle EXTREME FLOODING AS WELL."
Leslie Hernandez, Eagle
Mountain: "YOU HAVE TO SEE THE Leslie Hernandez, Eagle
Mountain: "YOU HAVE TO SEE THE
POSITIVES, RIGHT? YOU CAN Mountain: "YOU HAVE TO SEE THE
POSITIVES, RIGHT? YOU CAN
STILL BE ON THE WATER. YOU POSITIVES, RIGHT? YOU CAN
STILL BE ON THE WATER. YOU
STILL HAVE THE CANYONS TO LOOK STILL BE ON THE WATER. YOU
STILL HAVE THE CANYONS TO LOOK
AT. SO I'M SURE THERE'S GOOD STILL HAVE THE CANYONS TO LOOK
AT. SO I'M SURE THERE'S GOOD
THINGS." But what if low AT. SO I'M SURE THERE'S GOOD
THINGS." But what if low
water is the new normal? THINGS." But what if low
water is the new normal?
Richard Kass, Grand Junction, water is the new normal?
Richard Kass, Grand Junction,
CO: "NEXT SPRING WOULD BE, IT Richard Kass, Grand Junction,
CO: "NEXT SPRING WOULD BE, IT
WOULD BE REALLY BAD IF WE CO: "NEXT SPRING WOULD BE, IT
WOULD BE REALLY BAD IF WE
DIDN'T GET THE SNOWPACK THAT WOULD BE REALLY BAD IF WE
DIDN'T GET THE SNOWPACK THAT
WE'RE HOPING FOR." Eric DIDN'T GET THE SNOWPACK THAT
WE'RE HOPING FOR." Eric
Balken, Glen Canyon Institute: WE'RE HOPING FOR." Eric
Balken, Glen Canyon Institute:
"IT'S GONNA BE HARD TO KEEP Balken, Glen Canyon Institute:
"IT'S GONNA BE HARD TO KEEP
BULLFROG MARINA OPEN. IT'S "IT'S GONNA BE HARD TO KEEP
BULLFROG MARINA OPEN. IT'S
JUST LOGISTICALLY GONNA BE BULLFROG MARINA OPEN. IT'S
JUST LOGISTICALLY GONNA BE
NEAR IMPOSSIBLE." The JUST LOGISTICALLY GONNA BE
NEAR IMPOSSIBLE." The
National Park Service refused NEAR IMPOSSIBLE." The
National Park Service refused
to do interviews and offered National Park Service refused
to do interviews and offered
no specific information about to do interviews and offered
no specific information about
plans for maintaining access. no specific information about
plans for maintaining access.
But in a written statement plans for maintaining access.
But in a written statement
they said "We are currently But in a written statement
they said "We are currently
exploring temporary solutions they said "We are currently
exploring temporary solutions
We do not currently anticipate exploring temporary solutions
We do not currently anticipate
any long-term closures of We do not currently anticipate
any long-term closures of
facilitiesThe park will do any long-term closures of
facilitiesThe park will do
its best to minimize the facilitiesThe park will do
its best to minimize the
disruptions in service." its best to minimize the
disruptions in service."
Esteban Hernandez, Eagle disruptions in service."
Esteban Hernandez, Eagle
Mountain: "THE WATER IS STILL Esteban Hernandez, Eagle
Mountain: "THE WATER IS STILL
GREAT. THE WATER'S STILL WARM. Mountain: "THE WATER IS STILL
GREAT. THE WATER'S STILL WARM.
IT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKE GREAT. THE WATER'S STILL WARM.
IT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKE
EVER TO VISIT, SO THERE YOU IT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKE
EVER TO VISIT, SO THERE YOU
HAVE IT." The government EVER TO VISIT, SO THERE YOU
HAVE IT." The government
forecast is that by next HAVE IT." The government
forecast is that by next
spring the lake will "most forecast is that by next
spring the lake will "most
probably" drop another 35 spring the lake will "most
probably" drop another 35
feet, straight down. John probably" drop another 35
feet, straight down. John
Hollenhorst, KSL 5 News feet, straight down. John
Hollenhorst, KSL 5 News
Bullfrog. Hollenhorst, KSL 5 News
Bullfrog.
One other ramp is open at Bullfrog.
One other ramp is open at
the Arizona end of the lake. One other ramp is open at
the Arizona end of the lake.
It's a private business but the Arizona end of the lake.
It's a private business but
the public can use it if they It's a private business but
the public can use it if they
pay a "valet fee." At the the public can use it if they
pay a "valet fee." At the
Utah end, an unpaved ramp is pay a "valet fee." At the
Utah end, an unpaved ramp is
available. But the Park Utah end, an unpaved ramp is
available. But the Park
Service says it's "launch at
during the ice age there were inland seas and great indian nations there.