/1 I spent the weekend looking at various locations on Lake Powell. A short thread follows on what I saw and my impressions. Lake Powell is the 2nd largest reservoir in the US. Since 2000 flows in #ColoradoRiver are down by 20%, half due to #climatechange.
/2 Here's a look at Powell contents since 2000. We're at 3545 (right axis) now, about 7 maf out of 25 maf possible. It is stunning how low the lake is. 
/3 I visited Bullfrog Marina, the overlook that shows Hite Marina and the river now down cutting through 50-year-old lake sediments, the new Cataract Canyon takeout, Wahweap Marina, Glen Canyon Dam, and Antelope Point Marina.
/4 A year ago, Sept 2020, the lake was at ~3596 feet. Today it sits at ~3545, a drop of 50 vertical feet. It is now down 155 vertical feet from full at 3700. The lake was last at 3545 in March of 1969 when it was about 6 years old and still filling for the first time.
/5 At Bullfrog the main boat ramp had a dirt extension at the bottom to get to the water
/6 The ferry service from Bullfrog to Halls Crossing was closed because the ramp is not usable. If you look closely, you can see the carved out canyon at the bottom of the ramp. Like all of the ramps, it is a very long way from the top to the bottom.
/7 Here's the bottom of the ramp. The lake seems like a good half mile away.
/8 Looking back up the ramp. A walk to the top of the ramp might take you a good 10 minutes.
/9 Here's the Colorado River at the Hite overlook. You can see the old Hite boat ramp in the distance. This used to all be lake. Now the river is now down cutting through lake sediments in an incised channel.
/10 A view upriver from the overlook. The new Cataract Canyon takeout is visible.
/11 The Park Service has done a good job with a new temporary takeout for Cataract Canyon. Not too long ago, it was a challenge to take out here. River is just behind me.
/12 Old Floating Bathrooms at the take out seem very much out of place, but they work. Note the construction equipment on the right.
/13 Here's the end of the Hite boat ramp. It is a very long way to the river, several hundred yards. See #9 for another view of this ramp from afar.
/14 Here's the now closed main ramp at Wahweap.
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