Lake Powell shrinks, marinas are having to adapt to dwindling water levels

Lake Powell shrinks, forcing marinas to adjust as the Colorado River reservoir drops toward record lows. The AP reports the lake has fallen nearly every year since around 2013, and this season’s lack of recovery from a record-dry winter and extreme heat—combined with decades of overuse, drought, and climate change—has accelerated depletion. Lake Powell is currently about 23% full and roughly 33 feet (10 meters) from levels so low that hydropower cannot be produced, with the potential to break its all-time record low in early September. Marinas in the Utah-Arizona tourist destination have closed or moved boat ramps, added new ramps, and temporarily relocated facilities to deeper waters. Officials say there is still water for recreation, but the basin-wide crisis affects the reservoir’s role for farmers, industry, wildlife, hydropower, and more than 40 million people across seven U.S. states, tribal nations, and Mexico.