Carter Williams is a reporter for KSL. He covers Salt Lake City, statewide transportation issues, outdoors, the environment and weather. He is a graduate of Southern Utah University.
HITE, San Juan County — Utah outdoor recreation officials have struck a deal with the National Park Service on a temporary solution for a popular Lake Powell boat ramp, seeking to keep it open while water levels at the nation's second-largest reservoir continue to drop.
Initial planning for a new, temporary North Wash boat ramp is already underway, including engineering and environmental groundwork, Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation officials said on Monday. The plan is to use an articulated concrete block system to create a temporary ramp that extends farther out into the water so that visitors can still reach Cataract Canyon, since the Hite boat ramp in the area is currently inoperable. The National Park Service agreed to expedite all the required processes, setting up construction that will begin in March, division officials added. No timeline was given for when the new ramp will be operable. "Maintaining safe, reliable access to Cataract Canyon is critical for Utah's river-running community and guiding economy. This temporary solution ensures continued access in the near term while we work closely with our federal partners toward a long-term, sustainable facility," said Carly Lansche, trails and planning program director for the division, in a statement. Hite is located toward the northern end of the reservoir, where Colorado River storage begins. Lake Powell's water levels are currently at 3,531.9 feet elevation, which is 26% of its full capacity and 118 feet below the listed minimum safe elevation for the Hite Launch Ramp, according to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. As such, there's no water in the area for any boats to launch from toward the Hite campground. The road connecting state Route 95 to Hite is also closed, park officials note. What was announced on Monday offers a short-term answer, while the two agencies continue to plan out a long-term solution to the problem. The exact cost was not immediately disclosed, but the Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission funded the design, compliance and site improvements for the temporary ramp. The Utah Public Lands Policy Coordination Office and the Utah Guides and Outfitters Association have aided the process. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area received a record 5.2 million visits when Lake Powell water levels surged from a record snowpack in 2023, but visitation has tumbled over the past two years as the reservoir's water levels have closed ramps again. Approximately 3.7 million peopl
Traffic Weather Sports Classifieds Cars Jobs Homes Television Radio Salt Lake Utah Local Environment Recreation Local Politics
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Utah Wins Bid for US Magnesium Assets, Trump Pledges Great Salt Lake SupportUtah secured a $30 million bid for the defunct US Magnesium assets, including significant water rights. President Trump expressed support for saving the Great Salt Lake, calling it an environmental hazard. The news also includes information about traffic incidents and an avalanche victim.
Read more »
OH Gov. DeWine: Trump Removing Temporary Protected Status for Haitians ‘Is Wrong’Source of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
Team USA Men's Hockey Claims Gold, Igniting Excitement in UtahEnthusiastic fans in Salt Lake City celebrated Team USA's gold medal victory over Canada in men's hockey, their first since 1980. The win held special significance for Utah residents due to the involvement of Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller. The upcoming return of the Olympic flame to Utah in 2034 further fueled the excitement, with fans and community members expressing their joy and anticipation.
Read more »
Binance to Face Temporary Downtime on Ethereum NetworkBinance will maintain its Ethereum network on February 24, with a likely one-hour outage.
Read more »
Federal court joins Utah Supreme Court in declining to block Utah's new congressional mapBridger Beal-Cvetko is a reporter for KSL. He covers politics, Salt Lake County communities and breaking news. Bridger has worked for the Deseret News and graduated from Utah Valley University.
Read more »
Taste Utah Bytes - Salt Lake County - Drunken KitchenIf you are looking for bold flavors and authentic cuisine, Drunken Kitchen in South Salt Lake is a must-visit.Katy Sine with Taste Utah sat down with owner and
Read more »