Q.
Where is Lake Powell Located?
A. Lake Powell is located
primarily in southern Utah and crosses over into Arizona
at Navajo and Antelope canyons, as well as the Glen
Canyon Dam. According to visitation research, Salt
Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix
and San Diego are the most common major cities
from which visitors flee to take advantage of the
incredible scenery, expansive beaches and private
coves on Lake Powell.
Q.
How big is Lake Powell?
A. You'll be surprised only
if you've never been - Lake Powell is 186 miles long
and has about 1,960 miles of shoreline. There are
96 major canyons, some over 20 miles long! There are
hundreds, if not thousands of beaches, alcoves and
private spots to park a houseboat or powerboat. The
lake is home to large populations of Smallmouth, Largemouth
and Striped Bass, as well as Crappie, Walleye Pike,
and Catfish.
Q.
When was Lake Powell created?
A. Glen Canyon Dam began
constuction in 1956, and closed its floodgates in
1963. It took 17 years to fill Lake Powell to full
pool.
Q.
Who manages the Recreation Area?
A. Lake Powell is part of
the Glen Canyon Nationa Recreation Area - part of
America's National Park system. The National Park
Service, a division of the United States Department
of Interior, provides oversight of the lake in cooperation
with a number of state and federal agencies. The Utah
Division of Wildlife Resources, Fish and Game Department,
as well as the Arizona Game & Fish Department
work to manage the fishing and habitat at the lake.
The US Coast Guard, the Bureau of Reclamation and
Bureau of Land Management, as well as Utah and Arizona
state & county law enforcement also have juristiction
and responsibilities in the area.
Lake Powell has one primary concessionaire, ARAMARK,
as well as many Independent Business Permit holders
that provide services of all types to the nearly 3-million
visitors to the recreation area annually. ARAMARK
provides most all services, including rentals, lodging,
fuel, waste facilities, maintenance and engineering
at the lake. They have been officially recognized
by the Federal Government on a number of occasions
for championing environmental changes (such as converting
Dangling Rope Marina to 100% solar power in 1998 and
converting all new houseboats to gray-water containment)
and providing innovative engineering solutions such
as floating waste facilities throughout the lake.
Q.
Other than houseboating, what else is there to do
in the area?
A. Lake Powell is in good
company in the western United States. The Grand Circle
- America's largest concentration of National and
State Parks, Monuments and Recreations Areas - is
literally all around Lake Powell. From Page, Arizona
at the southern end, you are a few hours from the
Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Monument Valley,
and many others. From Halls Crossing and Bullfrog,
you are but a few hours from spectacular Mesa Verde
National Park or Arches National Monument.
Whitewater rafting down the Colorado River, 1/2 day
float trips from the base of Glen Canyon Dam and tour
boat rides to amazing Rainbow Bridge National Monument
are available from Wahweap Marina. And much, much
more...
Q.
Is the lake and area safe enough for my family?
A. A good question to ask!
Lake Powell is a rugged and remote place with limited
facilites once you get away from the full-service
marinas. There are, of course, no lifeguards on the
beaches, and it is real nature out there! But we are
fortunate that there are few serious injuries and
even fewer fatalities given the potential.
It is important to watch the weather when hiking
in the area as flash floods can be a common occurence
during certain times of the year. When on the water
or parked in a houseboat, life jackets should always
be on children (and anyone that cannot swim). Never
dive into the lake from cliffs or ledges! If you must
be a daredevil, always jump feet first! And do not
drive on Lake Powell at night. (All rental craft are
prohibited from driving at night).
Most importantly, do not use drugs or alcohol when
out on the lake and especially when driving a boat.
Over 80% of fatalities on Lake Powell in the past
years have been attributed to alcohol.
Q.
Does the lake freeze in winter?
A. Nope! Okay, so it can
get a little icy in the backs of a few of the northern
canyons and that water sure feels like it could freeze
around February, but generally the climate in this
area is too warm to freeze such a big pond.
Q. Why can't I rent a
private houseboat on the lake?
A. The rental concession
on the lake is handled by a single professional concessionnaire
for a good reason. The concessionaire must take on
the cost and responsibility of many environmental
and management concerns at the lake. Dock maintenance,
waste and utilities management, recycling efforts
and improvements are largely handled by the concessionaire.
The investment here is in the hundreds of millions
of dollars and is repaid under contract with the revenues
created through rentals, restaurants, etc.
A legal alternative to renting a houseboat is "buying"
a houseboat - or buying a share of a houseboat. Commonly
(and erroneously) referred to as a time-share, a shared-ownership
boat can be a rewarding and luxurious way to enjoy
Lake Powell as from 4 to 26 different owners share
in the upkeep, storage and enjoyment of a top-quality
boat.
Q. What
are the dangers of Carbon Monoxide and boating?
A. As you probably know,
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas
that is produced by internal combustion engines. Generators,
boat motors and charcoal briquets are the most common
sources of CO when boating or camping.
The US Coast Guard recently recalled all houseboats
and similarly designed watercraft with "rear-venting"
generator exhaust for retrofitting with safer "side-venting"
systems. A number of CO related accidents have been
attributed to houseboats on Lake Powell as well as
other lakes with houseboats. Now, before you get too
nervous - RENTAL BOATS ON LAKE POWELL ALL HAVE SIDE
VENTING GENERATOR EXHAUST. Rental houseboats also
have CO detectors in their cabins as well. This doesn't
mean that you can be complacent around Carbon Monoxide,
you must still follow your houseboat instructor's
direction and review the safety instructions for your
houseboat. It just means that your rental boat is
designed to be the safest possible craft.
Q.
Can you fly to Lake Powell?
A. Yes, regular daily flights
with Great Lakes Arilines arrive at the full-service
airport in Page, Arizona from both Phoenix and Denver.
There are landing strips at Bullfrog and Hall's Crossing
Marinas as well.
Q.
Tell me about guided tours available in the area?
A. You can take a comfortable
tour boat ride to Rainbow Bridge National Monument,
take a guided hike through Antelope Canyon - the famous
slot canyon on the Navajo Reservation, take a half-day
raft trip down the Colorado River from the Dam to
Lees Ferry. There's even a new tour on Lake Powell
on Kayaks from a local outfitter based in Page. Many
of these tours are appropriate for school and church
groups (with group discounts) as well as families,
seniors and individuals.
Q.
Isn't part of Lake Powell on an Indian Reservation?
A. Lake Powell provides
the northern border to the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
The waters of the lake are in the National Recreation
Area and are federal lands. Access to Navajo Mountain
and areas south of the lake are via permission of
the Navajo Nation. Please inquire about a permit prior
to exploring these lands.
Q.
What are the Fees to get into the Recreation Area?
A. Lake Powell is inside
the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The National
Park Service charges a small fee for entrance and
parking while using the lake. These fees help pay
for staffing, improvements and utilities in the area.
Given the level of improvements in the past years,
the fees are still very low. Cooperation of all visitors
in recycling, refuse removal and minimal impact, keep
these fees low. Here are the rates;keep in mind you
can use your National Park Pass or Golden (Age, Eagle,
and Access) for park entry;
Per Individual
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3.00
Per Vehicle .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00 (1-7 days)
Annual Pass .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20.00 (Over 7 days)
National Parks
Pass . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
Per Boat . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00 (1-7 days)
Annual Boat Pass
. . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00
