Lake Powell General Information

colbysmith

colbysmith

Active member
I don't claim to have all the knowledge for Lake Powell, but I have been there a few times over the years. With some more folks planning or thinking about going, I thought I'd start a new thread with current information from my most recent trips there. (Last summer, and a few summers ago.) This is some information I sent Tom on C-Otter and wanted to share it with all.

1. I've found the best map/chart by far is the Stan Jones Boating and Exploring Map and Guide to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Everything you want to know about Lake Powell and it's 96 Canyons. There are several other maps, but this one is great in that you can open it up and see the entire lake. It's the one I use while the other two stay in my folder of crap... Also, while you have to hunt around a little bit on it, there are descriptions of each and every canyon. With some good information.

https://maps4u.com/products/stan-jo...-national-recreation-area-paper-non-laminated

(They also have a laminated one for a little more cost.)
I've got a much older copy, but think I'll order the one in the link above just to have something newer and to compare it to my old one.

2. There are several books/guides out on Lake Powell. But here's a freebe that is cool if you are into geology. It also provides a little more information as you cruise down the lake.

http://www.lakepowell.org/documents/Lake Powell Geologic Guide.pdf

3. Lastly, at least as of last year, and who knows if this will change, along with the need for a National Parks Pass to enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, you also need to complete the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources certification program and purchase a Decontamination Certificate. Or as per Utah's Government site: Boaters who are not residents of Utah are required to take the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Aquatic Invasive Species Education Course as part of their “Mussel-Aware Boater Program.” You can find that here:

https://stateparks.utah.gov/activities/boating/ais-education-course/


After you complete the course, you'll need to purchase a AIS Vessel Registration ($20). I suggest once you know you're dragging your boat out to Utah, you go online and do this stuff so you're good to go when you get there.

The lake levels, thus the geology, is constantly changing. Between Bull Frog Bay and Halls Crossing, I like Halls best. Doesn't seem to be as crowded and I think the ramp is a little better. This past summer I noticed they have then north ramp also open at Bullfrog, but I've never used it, so not sure if it's nice or not. The main ramp required backing the truck in to the bumper to launch a 22 several years ago. I had no problem launching my 25 this past summer at Halls. The main road into Halls, for the last several miles has some "heaves" in it. Follow the speed limit, you'll be fine. Stay in the main channels, or go slow and keep a lookout. If you go along the shore or out of the main channel, you may find rocks just under the water that even our C-Dory's won't clear.

Just a quick mention of Yellowstone, if anyone is thinking about detouring there as well. Since I've only had our boat there once, I can't say much. We used the west entrance, since we came in from that direction, and then used it leaving as we were visiting family on the NW side. Bay Bridge marina, I think that was the name of it, was a nice marina. The temps were a bit on the chilly side while we were there in September. Take your heater! There were some pretty areas on the Lake, and I enjoyed letting Bill (Mystery Girl) show us around some of them a bit. The park it self is beautiful with a lot to see taking your pickup around. But lots of traffic too. Much less traffic on the lake! But, watch out for fishing nets. Yeah, they have some Great Lakes fishing boats out there and they use the same kind of nets and buoys as they are trying to remove invasive species. (Those boats are actually from Lake Michigan! You'll recognize them.) You'll need to buy an invasive species sticker for Yellowstone as well. I forget what we paid, but we bought an annual one, is it was only twice the cost of a 7 day sticker, and we knew we'd be there at least two weeks. You can buy a nice park map at the park stores that will provide a nice lake layout as well. But the Garmin lake charts seem to cover it pretty well. At least the vision chip did.
Colby
 
Great write up Colby.

I'll add Wayne Gustavesons Lake Powell forum as a great resource for all things Lake Powell. Wayne is the fisheries biologist for Powell and has been in that position for over 40 years.

When I was planning our trip this past spring I found that forum invaluable with folks willing to share the in and outs of the lake, especially for Powell virgins like myself.

www.wayneswords.net
 
I would get the laminated map, our paper map flew out the window and the worst part was finding a dump site. We got the boater's guide by michael r. kelsey and used it every day to pick out a camping spot. I also like the national geographic Glen Canyon map up on my wall for a nice overview of the lake. The main thing for us is getting the dumpsites, fresh water and ice locations nailed down before we leave. We had a blast at Flaming Gorge (a mini lake powell) we put in at cedar springs marina (nice ramp good parking) we camped out nearby at cedar springs CG, you can make a reservation. We got the fish-n-map co map online, it was great. We liked Jackson Lake at colter bay marina. They rent out end slips about $30 a night. Jackson lake is smaller and we liked it better than yellowstone. A great launch site and easy parking (see our pictures) Showers, laundry and a great store are within walking distance of the marina. Hope to see you on lake powell most of sept.
 
Something else I forgot to mention. And this is primarily for those like me that live east of the Mississippi. Invasive Species inspections. Get use to them as you travel west. They are pretty serious about it. Yellowstone Lake will require an inspection before you launch, and again after you pull out. They will be fairly thorough before launching. Being from Wisconsin and boating in the Great Lakes, I know I'm a high risk boat. So when they ask where I'm from, I honestly tell them, "Wisconsin, you'll have to do a high risk inspection". However, if you arrive with a clean, dry boat and have already gone thru an inspection somewhere else, have your boat sealed and have the inspection record, it'll be a little easier. In all the inspections I've encountered, except for one by a Barney Fife like individual just outside of Cody, WY, the inspectors have been polite and professional. (Barney Fife was determined to find some mussels on my boat. He didn't...) And I've tried to make their job a little easier by having/knowing the information they are looking for. At Lake Powell, there is really no inspection before launching. However they do require one pulling out. At Halls the two times I was there last summer, they did not appear to have inspectors there except on the weekends. The do still have rules to follow on the honor system. Again I just suggest having your boat clean and dry when you arrive, and if you have any inspections along the way, have the boat sealed and keep the report. Lots of information available on the various state's websites where you can study up on what they require of boaters. Colby
 
I believe that Kelsey's Boaters Guide to Lake Powell is also an essential. It does describe some of the good hikes as well as the anchorages, and canyons.

I have always launched from Wahweep--usually State Line. Gas up at cheapest place you can find, either Page (Walmart for shopping and even a stay in the parking lot), There is a shell station where in the back there are double pumps for boats so you can fill from both side. For fishing gear:Stix Liquor and Sporting Goods.

I made up a folder of fishing tips from Wayne's World, web site, and the one on:
Angling Secrets of Lake Powell, when and where to catch fish.

I always read at least one book on the history of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon. Start with the river runs of Baden Powell

Ghosts of Glen Canyon: History beneath Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dammed.The Colorado River thru Glen Canyon before Lake Powell, Any anthology of John W. Powell's trips down the Colorado River. Any one of several books on Morman settlement and their trips thru Glen Canyon, "Hole in the Rock". There was one which title escapes me, but was of outlaws of this area of Utah and Arizona.
The geology of Glen Canyon. The first part is where the illustrations and charts of Colby's link is taken from, but there is more in detail later in the publication.
Even "Ghost stories of the old west".

We always find that reading as much information as possible about an area enhances the experience on the boat.

If you are a hiker, look up hiking trails from Lake Powell. Depending on the lake level there will be different trails...

We had the laminated map, and kept it on the dinette table. One boat had a glass cover and we put the map under the glass. Had a second map to also access the back pages.

Active Captain has a few of good anchorages I put on for Lake Powell.
 
RE: AIS inspections. This is becoming a thing east of the Mississippi too. Especially NY state. But they are also concerned about invasive plants (which seems to be the bigger problem right now) as well as animals species.
 
Speaking of AIS. Not the inspections but the electronics. For whatever reason(s), AIS transmitters will not work on Lake Powell. And I don't believe Yellowstone either...
 
Colby, why do you say AIS will not work? I have seen a couple of AIS signals there. There is no technical reason that AIS should not work at either Powell or Yellowstone. (There are going to be the signal limitations by line of site, because of canyons.
 
Bringing this thread back up with a question. I've never launched at Stateline or Wahweap. Anyone know how the ramps there compare to Bullfrog? Bullfrog was a real PITA to get my 22 off it's trailer when launching, due to how shallow the ramp was. You had to back the tow vehicle in the water past the front wheels. I started using Halls Crossing with my 25, but with water levels low, this ramp may not be open later this summer. So I'm just wondering if anyone has launched at the Page, AZ side of the lake, and has any information about the ramps at Wahweap. Thanks. Colby
 
New to this term, AIS. Was sure I wanted it on any Loop adventure. Are you saying it is required on Powell?
Not really familiar with using it and wonder if most folk are just using it as a signaling device or if most use it to respond as well?
My Radio and Radar work well and so I was not in a hurry to upgrade anything just now in that area...
 
AIS is the context of Lake Powell and other places refers to Aquatic Invasive Species. These are plants and animals that are non-native to the body of water in question. Some lakes are taking steps to try and prevent the introduction of invasive species to their bodies of water.

There are rules regarding cleaning your boat and how long it must be out of the water when transporting between different bodies of water.

Some places require an inspection and purchase of a decal.

https://stdofthesea.utah.gov/ais/boating-at-lake-powell/
 
Colby, State Line Auxillary ramp worked great for me last Spring. Parking is past the inspection so more secure than the original upper parking lot near the road.
Regular Sate Line ramp was closed as it seems to still be.
 
Donald Tyson":31dpmupk said:
New to this term, AIS. Was sure I wanted it on any Loop adventure. Are you saying it is required on Powell?
Not really familiar with using it and wonder if most folk are just using it as a signaling device or if most use it to respond as well?
My Radio and Radar work well and so I was not in a hurry to upgrade anything just now in that area...
Click to expand...

Hi Donald,
SSobal answered it well. But to add a bit to it. If you travel west of the Rockies, you can expect to stop at each state for an AIS inspection of your boat. Most of these are pretty straight forward as long as your boat looks clean. And many states, even east of the Rockies, require the bilge (and live well) drain plug be out when traveling with the boat on a trailer.
Now, back on the electronic AIS. It is not required on our C-Dory's in any body of water. For those of us that cruise amongst commercial larger vessels, it's nice to have the transmitter to let them know where we are at...assuming they are watching.... Most new VHF radios can receive AIS, and it's helpful in that case to see where the commercial (and other pleasure boats that have the transmitter) are at.

Jody, thanks for the reply. I have the water level link, but I"m specifically looking for what ramps are available on the west end of the lake, and what their slopes are. Also information on long term parking. I assume parking is no different than it is at Bullfrog or Halls. But I'm hoping the ramps are steeper than what Bullfrog's was. Colby
 
alainP":o3ypm9i6 said:
Colby, State Line Auxillary ramp worked great for me last Spring. Parking is past the inspection so more secure than the original upper parking lot near the road.
Regular Sate Line ramp was closed as it seems to still be.
Click to expand...

Thanks Alain. That's good to hear! Colby
 
If you scroll down to the bottom of the water data page all of the ramp data is there and if you are able to use them for launching. I haven't seen the angle of the ramps posted any where in a long time it has been talk about on wayneswords.net but might have been on the old site wayneswords.com. The shallowest ramp that I launch on is Bay Bridge Yellowstone. Bullfrog flattens out at the bottom of the ramp and can be difficult. If you make a post over on Wayneswords.net there will plenty who will gladly give you current conditions. or you can come go with me to Flaming Gorge end of April first of May.

https://lakepowell.water-data.com/
 
jkidd":3cxwafuo said:
If you scroll down to the bottom of the water data page all of the ramp data is there and if you are able to use them for launching. I haven't seen the angle of the ramps posted any where in a long time it has been talk about on wayneswords.net but might have been on the old site wayneswords.com. The shallowest ramp that I launch on is Bay Bridge Yellowstone. Bullfrog flattens out at the bottom of the ramp and can be difficult. If you make a post over on Wayneswords.net there will plenty who will gladly give you current conditions. or you can come go with me to Flaming Gorge end of April first of May.

https://lakepowell.water-data.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks Jody. Actually I put a post out on Wayneswords yesterday. I launched at Bay Bridge a couple of years ago, at least if that's the one at the marina there. I don't remember that ramp being shallow at all. At least not like Bull Frog. This was in early September. I'd love to join you at Flaming Gorge, however I will be heading to the Friday Harbor gathering, and then cruising Puget Sound. :) Colby
 
Colby was referring to AIS the electronic signal and it does work in Lake Powell as anywhere. It is just a radio transmission and reception system. Similar in frequency to the VHF radio on all boats which work fine at any elevations or locations, subject to basic radio wave physics. There is no mandatory requirement for AIS in the United States. There are several places in the World on crowded waterways where recreational and all commercial vessels over a certain size must have and use AIS.

Lake Powell is infected with the invasive species. Has been for over 10 years.

The state line aux would be your best bet--consider Antalope canyon marina also. They have a tractor to launch your boat if necessary. The regular state line and Wahweap are shallow angle ramps--I have not used the new State Line Aux, but it has the steel CB temporary runway mats at the very end, after the concrete. Looks like a bit of walk to parking?? As Colby knows the 25 requires deeper water than the 22, because of its waterline beam and having to ride a bit higher on the trailer (with a lot of caveats ref build of the specific trailer).
 
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