The Times-Independent

Drought prompts closure of Utah boat ramps


The same day the popular Halls Crossing boat ramp closed at Lake Powell, state parks have also closed their boat ramps Friday, July 16, due to low water levels.

Houseboaters can no longer use the Wahweap Main Launch Ramp at Lake Powell due to low water levels. Halls Crossing is closed entirely, as have launch ramps at several other Utah bodies of water. Photo courtesy of Glen Canyon NRA

Both of the boat ramps at Willard Bay State Park have now closed, along with the boat ramp at Millsite State Park. At the time of this statement, a total of seven boat ramps are closed due to water levels. Another six of them remain under an “advisory” designation — meaning the ramp may be operating at a reduced capacity or may be at risk of closing soon, according to a statement from Utah State Parks.

Water levels at lakes and reservoirs throughout Utah are experiencing extreme lows. When reservoirs reach these levels, some parks are forced to close their boat launch ramps in order to help better protect visitors and their property.

“Before loading your boat and heading to your favorite state park reservoir for a day on the water, we ask that you please consult the Utah State Parks website to learn the status of that park’s boat ramp, as well as other nearby alternatives should you need them,” reads the statement.

Low water levels might also expose additional navigation hazards and decrease the overall amount of boatable water. As such, it is essential that boaters remain vigilant and follow Utah’s boating laws, rules, and safety practices. These include, but are not limited to:

Checking reservoir and boat ramp status before getting on the road

Operating at a wakeless speed within 150-feet of another vessel, fishing dock, swimmer, etc.

Following the rules on

common waterway markers

Ensuring children are wearing appropriate USCG approved life jackets and you are following all life jacket laws

Ensuring children have taken appropriate education courses before operating a vessel

Not operating a vessel under

the influence of drugs or alcohol

Avoid boating at night. It is always extremely dangerous and should be avoided if possible

Not swimming around boats that have engines or generators running due to the risk of propeller cuts and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Lake Powell at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Mead National Recreation Area on the Nevada/Arizona line are both at historic lows. In an effort to keep boaters on Lake Powell, a project to rehabilitate a legacy ramp in the Wahweap area and another project to extend the launch ramp at Bullfrog are underway.

Still, additional closures are expected to be made at bodies of water in the Southwest.

Also, effectively immediately, no houseboats may be launched from Wahweap Main Launch Ramp due to low lake levels. Houseboat retrievals remain possible utilizing the boiler plate temporary extensions. Boaters are advised that at the current rate of water loss, only 60 feet of temporary boiler plate will remain by Saturday, July 24.

A hazard buoy currently marks the end of the boiler plate ramp extensions available for houseboat retrieval. Today’s ramp assessment showed no more than 10 feet of water depth at the end of the longest temporary boiler plate extension.

Doug McMurdo contributed to this report.