Lake Powell should have a good year

[Moki]

Snow, snow and more snow. We just got another 14 inches of new snow at our house and expect another 1-5 inches tonight! I love it! BTW, is the Tige Ski / Snowboard Day still going on? We should have very good snow conditions.

I am glad that I put my boat in storage this year...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee56/Lakepal/P2030538.jpg?t=1202104902
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee56/Lakepal/PC210022.jpg?t=1202104936
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee56/Lakepal/P2030540.jpg?t=1202104987

[oktige]

wow i havnt seen snow like that since i lived in wyoming..

[eks]

Where do you live, we got about 2 feet on the grounf right now as well, we are in Utah

[Matt Garcia]

Wow I coulnt imagine having that much snow. We have a high of 82˚ today. :)

[Jason B]

Wow I coulnt imagine having that much snow. We have a high of 82˚ today. :)

U suck:(
It's raining right now which is melting the 2' of snow we have. It's gonna get cold and all that damn rain will freeze.
You got a spare room Matt?:)

[spharis]

Wow I coulnt imagine having that much snow. We have a high of 82˚ today. :)

Word!


Only problem is the 234% humidity :( At least it cuts down on the static.

[Domsz06]

wow hope that it starts to fill some of the lakes with that!

[oktige]

Where do you live, we got about 2 feet on the grounf right now as well, we are in Utah I live in beautiful Oklahoma.. which i have lived most of my life.. In 2001-and a couple months of 2002 I lived in Kemmer WY.. that place sucked.. hope i never got to go back....

[talltigeguy]

http://lakepowell.water-data.com/

The snowpack is listed at 127% of normal. Although it is terrific, it seems that the huge snowpack is not in the Colorado River basin.

I also think that one of the biggest months of the year for snowpack up there is February. So %127 at the end of February will mean a lot more than right now.

Some of it depends on who gets the lion's share of the runoff. If they give it all to Mead, then Powell won't rise that much. Anyone know how they are going to divide it up?

It seems that they have made it so that both lakes stay about the same % of full in the last 1-2 years. Currently, Mead is at %50 of full and Powell is at %44.

[turbonine]

The amount of runoff the Phoenix area is getting should help the situation. Our 5 lakes are filling up quickly, and are releasing a ton of water right now into the Salt river/Gila river system. This system will give Mexico its allocation, thus not having to draw off of the Colorado River system.

[Timmy!]

Doesn't lake powell's water come from Colorado? Some areas of Colorado are at 150% + snowpack for the year and they are getting another 1'-3' today/tomorrow which will only add to it.

[talltigeguy]

Doesn't lake powell's water come from Colorado? Some areas of Colorado are at 150% + snowpack for the year and they are getting another 1'-3' today/tomorrow which will only add to it.

Here are the dirty details: http://snowpack.water-data.com/uppercolorado/index.php?getall=1

The Colorado Plateau is at 178% of normal, but the upper green is only 48%, according to these guys. Somewhere on the site, they have a map that shows all of the drainages that feed lake Powell, and the majority comes from Colorado, but plenty from Northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming.

[Moki]

wow i havnt seen snow like that since i lived in wyoming..

Wyoming is getting pounded by the same storm as well.

Where do you live, we got about 2 feet on the grounf right now as well, we are in Utah

I'm in Utah as well, I live in Highland.

Wow I coulnt imagine having that much snow. We have a high of 82˚ today. :)

It's true, you suck:D Although I do like having 4 seasons.
wow hope that it starts to fill some of the lakes with that!

Our local lakes should do well...
http://lakepowell.water-data.com/

The snowpack is listed at 127% of normal. Although it is terrific, it seems that the huge snowpack is not in the Colorado River basin.


That's a cool website. I have it bookmarked. Thanks for sharing.

[Moki]

I love this statement from the above website:

"Blue Notch is unknown and really just shoreline launching at whatever point feels good. No minimum given except amount of courage it takes to reach this launch."

[eks]

I'm in Utah as well, I live in Highland.



I am in Spanish Fork, next to the Golf course

[LovinPowell]

Steve from Antelope marina states that March is the key runoff month for Lake Powell. All of this snow might not help Lake Powell as much as we would hope, but it has to end up somewhere and the lakes that get it will definately be higher. And the more lakes that have alot of water the better as it will spread out the boaters over more lakes, thereby reducing crowds. I'm pretty sure that with all of the snow in the mountains north of us, our three local lakes will be filled to the max this spring and summer.

[Timmy!]

2 years ago it got really hot early and the snow evaporated instead of melting, so there's always a chance of that too.

[SPBFAN]

Snow, snow and more snow. We just got another 14 inches of new snow at our house and expect another 1-5 inches tonight! I love it! BTW, is the Tige Ski / Snowboard Day still going on? We should have very good snow conditions.

I am glad that I put my boat in storage this year...

MOKI we need to get in touch with OWN. I am still planning on it. I love the snow. I wish I would have put my boat in storage. We are getting pounded with rain.

[Moki]

I am in Spanish Fork, next to the Golf course
My business partner lives up in Spanish Fork Canyon and my boat is parked out in one of those warehouses next to the airport. Spanish Fork has grown a lot!

MOKI we need to get in touch with OWN. I am still planning on it. I love the snow. I wish I would have put my boat in storage. We are getting pounded with rain.

Yeah, we definitely need to get that going, that would be fun!

[eks]

My business partner lives up in Spanish Fork Canyon and my boat is parked out in one of those warehouses next to the airport. Spanish Fork has grown a lot!


:ot:

I Probably know your partner if he lives close to the mouth of the canyon.

Are you using Full Service Storage? I used them last year, it was about $100 per month. I have a friend on my neighborhood that has a big indoor arena and I started storing my boat there with him for half price.

:ot:

[talltigeguy]

Steve from Antelope marina states that March is the key runoff month for Lake Powell. All of this snow might not help Lake Powell as much as we would hope, but it has to end up somewhere and the lakes that get it will definately be higher. And the more lakes that have alot of water the better as it will spread out the boaters over more lakes, thereby reducing crowds. I'm pretty sure that with all of the snow in the mountains north of us, our three local lakes will be filled to the max this spring and summer.
http://graphs.water-data.com/lakepowell/

Another graph from the site. It appears the lake level generally rises NONE in March. The snow in the high country does not melt until May or even June.

2 years ago it got really hot early and the snow evaporated instead of melting, so there's always a chance of that too.
Good point, we are not out of the woods yet, like I said. We need some more snow and we also need it to melt so as to provide maximum runoff.

[Moki]

:ot:

I Probably know your partner if he lives close to the mouth of the canyon.

Are you using Full Service Storage? I used them last year, it was about $100 per month. I have a friend on my neighborhood that has a big indoor arena and I started storing my boat there with him for half price.

:ot:

He lives up in covered bridge canyon. Yes I am using Full Service Storage and I am paying a little over $100 per month. Does your friend have any more space?:)

[LovinPowell]

http://graphs.water-data.com/lakepowell/

Another graph from the site. It appears the lake level generally rises NONE in March. The snow in the high country does not melt until May or even June.


Good point, we are not out of the woods yet, like I said. We need some more snow and we also need it to melt so as to provide maximum runoff.

Perhaps I didn't state it clearly. According to Steve, March is the key month for precipitation. If March is a wet month, then (for whatever reason) that bodes well for the water level for the following months.

The graph illustrates exactly what Timmy inferred, in 2006 a large portion of the runoff evaporated and the lake level suffered because of it.

Bottom line is let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

[dogbert]

U suck:(
It's raining right now which is melting the 2' of snow we have. It's gonna get cold and all that damn rain will freeze.
You got a spare room Matt?:)

We were out wakeboarding on Saturday. Water was a bit cold, but nothing a wetsuit couldn't fix.

[eks]

He lives up in covered bridge canyon. Yes I am using Full Service Storage and I am paying a little over $100 per month. Does your friend have any more space?:)

Sorry, I am traveling to Germany and just now got to the hotel. Yes he could accommodate your boat as well.

I'll be back on the 16th of February and I'll talk to him about it.

[Jason B]

We were out wakeboarding on Saturday. Water was a bit cold, but nothing a wetsuit couldn't fix.

Had to twist the knife Dogbert? :( ;)

It hasn't stopped snowing here since 2pm yesterday. We have a solid 2'. The good news is I finally got to use my new snowboard last night. It was fun...but COLD.

[TigeDuner]

The amount of runoff the Phoenix area is getting should help the situation. Our 5 lakes are filling up quickly, and are releasing a ton of water right now into the Salt river/Gila river system. This system will give Mexico its allocation, thus not having to draw off of the Colorado River system.

Roosevelt Lake has gone up 35' since 12/1/07 and has only 17.5' to go until max capacity. Saw it last weekend. Full of debri but should settle in a month or so. We will have a full lake this summer-Can't wait.
Looks like we got all the water. :D :D

[dogbert]

Had to twist the knife Dogbert? :( ;)

It hasn't stopped snowing here since 2pm yesterday. We have a solid 2'. The good news is I finally got to use my new snowboard last night. It was fun...but COLD.

Hey, my wife had the good sense to move to Texas from Wisconsin. I guess she got tired of me teasing her about the weather.

[KonaKing]

here is the one that shows the snowpack http://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/notice/snowpack.html

according to this all the drainages are above normal. We should see a significant rise in lake levels this year. As the weather warms you will the change in flow rates. Just like 2 years ago the lake was rising almost 18 inches a day around memorial day. Watch out. Also winters is not over still more to come. March is historically a big snow month

[Moki]

Another great site. The visual really helps to see what is going on. The southwestern states are doing very well. I wonder if that will allow them to reduce the flow coming out?

[Domsz06]

well that's good. Hope it keeps rising!

[SPBFAN]

Another great site. The visual really helps to see what is going on. The southwestern states are doing very well. I wonder if that will allow them to reduce the flow coming out?

You guys also have to give water to Lake Mead from Powell don't you. And for those that went to the reunion you know how low that lake was. If that is the case how will that effect Powell?

[time2kyl]

You guys also have to give water to Lake Mead from Powell don't you. And for those that went to the reunion you know how low that lake was. If that is the case how will that effect Powell?

Yes, send ME all your water!!!!!

[talltigeguy]

http://lakepowell.water-data.com/

Some of it depends on who gets the lion's share of the runoff. If they give it all to Mead, then Powell won't rise that much. Anyone know how they are going to divide it up?

It seems that they have made it so that both lakes stay about the same % of full in the last 1-2 years. Currently, Mead is at %50 of full and Powell is at %44.

You guys also have to give water to Lake Mead from Powell don't you. And for those that went to the reunion you know how low that lake was. If that is the case how will that effect Powell?

Good question. Powell may not rise nearly as much as we had hoped if they give Mead a good portion of the runoff.

I mostly hope that it could get above the castle rock cutoff, so that I do not have to travel the !@##$%^ antelope channel. That saves me 20 minutes of driving in the car and another 30 minutes or so in the boat. I could almost make it a day trip and call it worthwhile.

[KonaKing]

There is no binding agreement between Powell and mead. Yes they will give water down stream but as to how much is strictly up to those who are on the at Powell

[LovinPowell]

I am pretty sure that the only requirement that exists is something called the lower colorado states agreement (or something to that effect) which states that California, Nevada, and Arizona are entitled to get a certain amount of water from the Colorado river. Glen canyon dam has been required to release enough water to cover that agreement. Hence the reason for the lake level decreasing. In excess years they are not required to give more, therefore the lake level should rise.

[Original Wing Nut]

Moki,

Are you snowed in? For those that don't know Moki's little town got hit huge yesterday and last night. They had kids snowed in at schools and had to spend the night. I have a job that a crew is doing down his way and they couldn't get out of town and spent the night at the fire station. Here is the local story. http://www.kutv.com/content/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=426cbcce-d0d2-44eb-8e57-4d2d6837e8ec

[Moki]

OWN,
It was crazy. I was driving home when it hit and all the cars had their warning flashers on. I could only see about 5-10 feet in front of me in the white out. The winds were terrible and caused about 4 feet of snow drifts on my driveway. We canceled all of our scout meetings last night. I am glad that I have a 4 wheeler with a plow this year!

Sorry to hear about your crew being snowed in. All of my kids made it back from school.

[SPBFAN]

Let it snow let snow. We need the water. I am glad all is okay. Utah is prepared for it though. It sounds like everyone went into action quickly and things were taken care of.

[talltigeguy]

http://lakepowell.water-data.com/

The snowpack is listed at 127% of normal. Although it is terrific, it seems that the huge snowpack is not in the Colorado River basin.

I also think that one of the biggest months of the year for snowpack up there is February. So %127 at the end of February will mean a lot more than right now.


My website says that the snowpack is at 122% of normal now. As I understand it the maximum snowpack in the Colorado River basin is on tax day, April 15. So I think we are indeed looking pretty for a good rise in the next 2 months.

[Original Wing Nut]

Still snowing at my house today. Good for the snow pack, bad for the local lakes. I drove by Deer Creek and Jordanelle last week and both are still fozen over solid. It will be good to see Lake Powell come up for a change.

[LovinPowell]

Here is the latest graph of the water level at lake powell. The effect of the Grand Canyon flood is very obvious. From the look of this graph, I am wondering if the cut-off will be open by mid June as the experts predict.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd51/lovinpowell/waterlevelapril16.jpg

[SPBFAN]

Still snowing at my house today. Good for the snow pack, bad for the local lakes. I drove by Deer Creek and Jordanelle last week and both are still fozen over solid. It will be good to see Lake Powell come up for a change.


Let it snow Mead and Powell both need it. I am guessing they are releasing Powell to Mead and that is why the fluctuations are on the graph?

[LovinPowell]

Let it snow Mead and Powell both need it. I am guessing they are releasing Powell to Mead and that is why the fluctuations are on the graph?

The reason for the drastic drop around March 4 is because they did their 3 day flood experiment again. They say that over the course of a year that they will recapture the extra water that was released, but the fact of the matter is that in the short run, the lake is now at least 3 feet lower than what it would be and it will not be made up during the upcoming boating season. For the cutoff to be usable by the middle of June (which is what they project), that blue line will have to be more vertical than the green line (2006) and go up even higher since 2006 didn't rise enough to use the cutoff, even though they projected it that year as well.

For the cutoff to be usable the level needs to be 3620 feet.

I'm very hopeful, but a little pessimistic.

[LovinPowell]

This web site has the numbers behind the graph.

Scroll down to the bottom to see the minimum levels required for certain areas.

http://lakepowell.water-data.com/

[talltigeguy]

I remember 2006, the snowpack was listed at about exactly 100% of normal then. So at 120%, we should get an even bigger rise. There will be days it will go up a full foot! That is amazing for a lake of that size especially. It will be a challenge to keep the houseboat anchored, but a challenge I accept with gusto.

[eks]

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=3108578

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A state official says spring runoff into Lake Powell should be about 120 percent of average, raising the lake's level 50 feet this summer.

But because a November agreement between Colorado River states for managing water shortages also manages water surpluses, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation says about 700,000 acre-feet more than usual will be released downstream from Lake Powell into Lake Mead.

Dennis Strong, director of the Utah Division of Water Resources, says precipitation and snowpack from the Oct. 1 start of the water year is mostly at or above average across the state. As of April 1, statewide basin reservoir storage was 60 percent of average and expected to reach 80 percent of normal with the runoff - even though Bear Lake will be about one-third full.

------

[Timmy!]

We are supposed to have a wet May here in Colorado so that should help some too as I'm sure there is a lot of runoff from rainwater as well as snow melt.