Lake Powell is approaching dead pool status as water levels plummet

Visitation drops more than 20 percent

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area lost nearly 1 million visitors in 2025. The park drew 4.7 million people in 2024, but that number fell to 3.7 million last year—a decline of more than 20 percent.

Just two years ago, in 2023, the park welcomed 5.2 million visitors and briefly surpassed Zion as Utah’s most popular park.

Declining water levels are the likely cause, though the Park Service has not confirmed the reasons. The park spans 1.25 million acres across Utah and Arizona.

Lake Powell anchors the park

Lake Powell is the second-largest reservoir in the United States and the main reason people visit Glen Canyon. When full, the lake stretches 186 miles with nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline.

Glen Canyon Dam created the reservoir when it was completed in 1963. The lake took 17 years to fill, reaching full capacity in 1980.

Houseboating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming draw visitors from across the country, but those activities depend on healthy water levels.

Water levels have dropped sharply

Lake Powell is now about 27 percent full. The reservoir hit an all-time low in early 2023 at roughly 22 percent capacity.

Record snowpack that winter helped raise levels temporarily, but the relief did not last. Federal projections show the lake could drop back to 22 percent by the end of 2026.

The surface now sits more than 150 feet below full pool, exposing rock walls that were underwater for decades.

What dead pool means for the reservoir

Dead pool occurs when water drops so low it cannot flow through the dam. Lake Powell reaches dead pool at 3,370 feet above sea level.

At full pool, the lake sits at 3,700 feet elevation, so the gap is substantial. Current levels hover around 170 feet above dead pool.

Before reaching dead pool, the reservoir would hit minimum power pool at 3,490 feet—the point where Glen Canyon Dam can no longer generate hydroelectric power.

40 million people depend on this water

The Colorado River supplies water to more than 40 million people across the Southwest. Seven states rely on the river: Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California.

The river also irrigates more than 5 million acres of farmland. Glen Canyon Dam generates hydroelectric power for the region, adding another layer of importance.

Water agreements governing the Colorado River expire at the end of 2026, raising the stakes for ongoing negotiations.

Boat ramps keep closing

The Park Service has spent tens of millions of dollars extending boat ramps to reach lower water elevations. Some ramps have been permanently modified, but others cannot be extended due to the terrain and remain closed.

Dangling Rope Marina, the only fuel stop in a 100-mile stretch of the lake, has been closed because of low water. Anyone planning a boating trip should check ramp status before visiting, because conditions change quickly.

The dam that created the lake

Glen Canyon Dam stands 710 feet tall, just shy of Hoover Dam. Construction began in 1956 and finished in 1963.

The dam was built to store water for Upper Basin states and generate hydropower. Conservationists mourned the flooding of Glen Canyon, calling it “the place no one knew.”

Lady Bird Johnson dedicated the dam in 1966. Today the dam remains a marvel of engineering, but drought has raised questions about its future.

Horseshoe Bend still draws crowds

Horseshoe Bend sits 5 miles downstream from the dam near Page, Arizona. The Colorado River carved a 1,000-foot-deep, 270-degree bend into the canyon walls over millions of years.

More than 2 million people visit the overlook each year, making it one of the Southwest’s most photographed spots. The hike to the viewpoint is 1.5 miles round trip over a flat, accessible path. The parking lot is on city land and requires a separate fee.

Rainbow Bridge requires a long journey

Rainbow Bridge is one of the largest natural bridges in the world. It stands 290 feet tall and spans 275 feet across.

The bridge can only be reached by a 50-mile boat ride or a multi-day hike through rugged backcountry. Five Native American nations consider Rainbow Bridge sacred.

Low water levels have sometimes made boat access difficult, forcing visitors to walk farther from the dock to reach the monument.

An unexpected ecological revival

Scientists are documenting native plants returning to the canyon floors exposed by falling water levels. Cottonwood trees as tall as 60 feet have grown in formerly flooded side canyons.

Beavers have returned and are building dams in the recovering streams. Native wildflowers and bees are flourishing in restored areas.

Researchers say native species are outcompeting invasive plants like tamarisk, offering a rare piece of good news amid the drought.

What visitors should know now

Anyone planning a trip should check water levels and ramp status before heading to Glen Canyon. Horseshoe Bend and other land-based attractions remain accessible even as lake levels drop.

Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees, so bring plenty of water and sun protection. The park entrance fee is $30 per vehicle and valid for seven days.

The Carl Hayden Visitor Center near the dam offers tours and information about the area.

The future remains uncertain

Federal officials and seven states are negotiating new water-sharing rules for the Colorado River. Current agreements expire at the end of 2026.

The Bureau of Reclamation has proposed several management options to address the crisis. Some experts have called for re-engineering the dam to handle lower water levels.

Snowpack and rainfall in coming years will determine how much water enters the system—and whether Lake Powell can recover.

Visiting Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

If you want to see Lake Powell and its surrounding canyons, head to Page, Arizona, about 275 miles north of Phoenix. The park includes Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend, and Rainbow Bridge.

Five marinas provide boat access when water levels allow. You can also camp, hike, or explore off-road vehicle trails throughout the park.

The park is open year-round, and the Carl Hayden Visitor Center offers ranger programs, exhibits, and dam tours.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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• The Colorado River Is Dying and 7 States Won’t Stop Fighting Over It