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phebus
06-08-2006, 01:43 PM
Anyone hear if the cut may be open this summer or not?

BoatFloating
06-08-2006, 01:48 PM
Anyone hear if the cut may be open this summer or not?
3720 is the magic number and it's at 3707 right now ad April and May were pretty dry up stream so it's not looking good this year. If it happens it won't be open for long before the water starts going the other way...

Outnumbered
06-08-2006, 01:53 PM
My bet would be no way. All the talk of Powell and Mead coming up this year seems to be wishful thinking. Mead is looking pretty bad as of last weekend. I was hoping for at least 10-20 feet more than last year but it looks like we actually lost 10 feet.
Lake Mead historical levels (http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/mead-elv.html)

OnlyMoney
06-08-2006, 02:13 PM
My bet would be no way. All the talk of Powell and Mead coming up this year seems to be wishful thinking. Mead is looking pretty bad as of last weekend. I was hoping for at least 10-20 feet more than last year but it looks like we actually lost 10 feet.
Lake Mead historical levels (http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/mead-elv.html)
Mead was forecasted to be at one of it's lowest levels this year and it is, Powell is rising. Just like they said it would.

INSman
06-08-2006, 02:15 PM
6720 is the magic number and it's at 6707 right now ad April and May were pretty dry up stream so it's not looking good this year. If it happens it won't be open for long before the water starts going the other way...
I thought peak run-off level was not until late July ??

bohica
06-08-2006, 02:19 PM
6720 is the magic number and it's at 6707 right now ad April and May were pretty dry up stream so it's not looking good this year. If it happens it won't be open for long before the water starts going the other way...
Your 3100 feet off unless your using the metric system :rollside: It's 3620 and 3607.

AzLakeLizard
06-08-2006, 02:22 PM
Current projections from the Bureau of Reclamation state the lake level will rise to an elevation of 3619, up 12 feet over 2005.

Outnumbered
06-08-2006, 02:28 PM
Current projections from the Bureau of Reclamation state the lake level will rise to an elevation of 3619, up 12 feet over 2005.
Thanks for the accurate info. Its a drop in the bucket (12 feet) and the lake is still near 100 feet low. No way the cut will be open. Major dissapointment. They were talking about having a good year early on. It looks like we will have to wait and see how next year will turn-out.

Outnumbered
06-08-2006, 02:29 PM
Mead was forecasted to be at one of it's lowest levels this year and it is, Powell is rising. Just like they said it would.
Not really. They said the cut would be open this year for about a month or so. Its not going to happen. Twelve feet is a little better than nothing but not a whole lot.

AzLakeLizard
06-08-2006, 02:32 PM
Date Elevation Content Inflow Release
(feet) (AF) (cfs) (cfs)
23-MAY-2006 3600.30 11778719 31589 9853
24-MAY-2006 3600.90 11836127 33920 9855
25-MAY-2006 3601.50 11893748 37363 9904
26-MAY-2006 3602.17 11958298 41334 9880
27-MAY-2006 3602.79 12018260 40613 9244
28-MAY-2006 3603.52 12089105 40677 9313
29-MAY-2006 3604.11 12146578 41684 9315
30-MAY-2006 3604.72 12206170 41604 9931
31-MAY-2006 3605.25 12258121 39606 10117
01-JUN-2006 3605.65 12297415 38217 13913
02-JUN-2006 3606.02 12333858 35654 13886
03-JUN-2006 3606.38 12369360 34685 12297
04-JUN-2006 3606.75 12405945 34046 11928
05-JUN-2006 3607.08 12438634 32968 13858
06-JUN-2006 3607.39 12469367 31824 13900
07-JUN-2006 3607.60 12490249 31164 13926
08-JUN-2006 --- --- --- ---

Outnumbered
06-08-2006, 02:32 PM
Here is the raw data and charting link. Great web site I just found on Google:
Lake Powell Data (http://www.usbr.gov/uc/crsp/GetSiteInfo)

Outnumbered
06-08-2006, 02:38 PM
Powell Jan 1, 2000 to June 7, 2006
http://www.usbr.gov/uc/crsp/DrawChart?c=1928&l=LAKE+POWELL&s=1-JAN-2000&e=7-JUN-2006&t=Storage

2Driver
06-08-2006, 02:39 PM
My understanding is 3620 is safe and 3612 is the minimum usable. The difference between the 2 depends on your boat: kayak or 75' house boat.
Question: We were thinking of going up and camping over the forth 4 day weekend. Should I go out of Antelope (always go to Waheap) and plan on the washing machine ride to Last Chance Bay or bag it because it will be a zoo in general. I don’t want to be stuck in the boat and not find safe beach for the night or deal with a whole lot of travel through that passage.

AzLakeLizard
06-08-2006, 02:58 PM
My understanding is 3620 is safe and 3612 is the minimum usable. The difference between the 2 depends on your boat: kayak or 75' house boat.
Question: We were thinking of going up and camping over the forth 4 day weekend. Should I go out of Antelope (always go to Waheap) and plan on the washing machine ride to Last Chance Bay or bag it because it will be a zoo in general. I don’t want to be stuck in the boat and not find safe beach for the night or deal with a whole lot of travel through that passage.
We have friends who launch out of Antelope just for that reason, and with the water level being where it is.. there is still lots of beaches to choose from! Titties & Beer and Mardonzi can give you some good input.. send them an email!. :)

Outnumbered
06-08-2006, 02:59 PM
My understanding is 3620 is safe and 3612 is the minimum usable. The difference between the 2 depends on your boat: kayak or 75' house boat.
Question: We were thinking of going up and camping over the forth 4 day weekend. Should I go out of Antelope (always go to Waheap) and plan on the washing machine ride to Last Chance Bay or bag it because it will be a zoo in general. I don’t want to be stuck in the boat and not find safe beach for the night or deal with a whole lot of travel through that passage.
If 3612 is minimal than maybe it will be usable this year. I had heard 3620 minimum. Well, lets just wait and see what happens.
I would plan on running the narrows and be prepared for some rough water. Generally if you leave Wahweap very early and come in early you can avoid the really bad ride. But it sucks to have to come in early so camping is the right move. Its not too hot there to camp.

DEEZ NUTTS
06-08-2006, 03:03 PM
The lake has not been busy in my eye for the last few years even on big weekends.
7-8 years ago you had to park in the weeds across the street at any of the ramps if you didnt get there early.
Stateline has not been over half full the past few summers.

INSman
06-08-2006, 03:21 PM
I ALWAYS CHECK HERE
http://waterdb.lakepowell.water-data.com/

77charger
06-08-2006, 03:29 PM
3620 is the safe level for all boats.3615 is risky for house boats and bigger boats but can be done with any smaller boat(i have gone thru at this level) Hell at 3612 i would rather walk my boat across with the drive up and have a beer vs driving around the island

Powerquestboy
06-08-2006, 03:32 PM
My understanding is 3620 is safe and 3612 is the minimum usable. The difference between the 2 depends on your boat: kayak or 75' house boat.
Question: We were thinking of going up and camping over the forth 4 day weekend. Should I go out of Antelope (always go to Waheap) and plan on the washing machine ride to Last Chance Bay or bag it because it will be a zoo in general. I don’t want to be stuck in the boat and not find safe beach for the night or deal with a whole lot of travel through that passage.
This is correct. at 3612 you would be able to push a small boat through the cut. at 3620 everything will be able to go through. It will happen this year but like others have said it wont be wet for long. Antelope Point marina is money right now saves you 9 miles of driving, hundreds in gas and a little back soreness as well.
If you want to go on the 4th you better be on the water really early just to fiind a camp spot. If your on the water early you will have no problem with the rough water. We do it all the time in everything from a 19 foot sea ray to a 60 foot houseboat. Its super hot up there on the 4th, I wont do it anymore if we are not on a houseboat.

PowellScooter
06-08-2006, 03:39 PM
6720 is the magic number and it's at 6707 right now ad April and May were pretty dry up stream so it's not looking good this year. If it happens it won't be open for long before the water starts going the other way...
Bohica is right ..... "Your 3100 feet off unless your using the metric system It's 3620 and 3607." If the water gets to 6707 we will be boating OVER Alstrom point... We didnt get much rain in town TnB, just enough to get the seats wet in my Jeep

2Driver
06-08-2006, 03:42 PM
This is correct. at 3612 you would be able to push a small boat through the cut. at 3620 everything will be able to go through. It will happen this year but like others have said it wont be wet for long. Antelope Point marina is money right now saves you 9 miles of driving, hundreds in gas and a little back soreness as well.
If you want to go on the 4th you better be on the water really early just to fiind a camp spot. If your on the water early you will have no problem with the rough water. We do it all the time in everything from a 19 foot sea ray to a 60 foot houseboat. Its super hot up there on the 4th, I wont do it anymore if we are not on a houseboat.
Thanks, I think we may go for it if I can gather up at least one extra boating party for saftey sake and good company of course :)

Outnumbered
06-08-2006, 03:45 PM
3620 is the safe level for all boats.3615 is risky for house boats and bigger boats but can be done with any smaller boat(i have gone thru at this level) Hell at 3612 i would rather walk my boat across with the drive up and have a beer vs driving around the island
Cool, thanks for the clarification. Just how crazy would it be with a bunch of yahoos trying to use this cut on the 4th at 3,612? I would think it would be quite a cluster fcuk?

shueman
06-08-2006, 03:51 PM
wait let me go look (from the front porch)yep its coming up raining like a bitch right now :D flash floods,all hell breaking loose,i'm going to have another beer a watch :cool:
Thanks for the update.... :cool: (b'turd).. :D

JJT4BOATING
06-08-2006, 03:56 PM
Hi Guys...We are new to this forum. Can you help us out. From what we have read 3612-3615 a small boat may make it through the cut off. What is considered a small boat? We have a 335 Hallett. But on the other hand how rough is the "long way" around for this size boat?
Also, how is the noise P.D. lauching a Wauweap Marina w/o mufflers. We are planning on being out there after July 4 though the 9th. Maybe we can see some of you folks out there? Love to see you.

phebus
06-08-2006, 04:02 PM
Does anyone know at what level they closed the cut?
I remember the last year it was open, and the buoyed off no wake area you had to go through. Thought that was a pain in the ass at the time.

Outnumbered
06-08-2006, 04:05 PM
Hi Guys...We are new to this forum. Can you help us out. From what we have read 3612-3615 a small boat may make it through the cut off. What is considered a small boat? We have a 335 Hallett. But on the other hand how rough is the "long way" around for this size boat?
Also, how is the noise P.D. lauching a Wauweap Marina w/o mufflers. We are planning on being out there after July 4 though the 9th. Maybe we can see some of you folks out there? Love to see you.
Hallett will do great. We did it last year in an Ultra 24 Stealth and it was no big deal. I did not hear of any noise citations but you may want to check with the local crowd.

Magic34
06-08-2006, 04:10 PM
Hi Guys...We are new to this forum. Can you help us out. From what we have read 3612-3615 a small boat may make it through the cut off. What is considered a small boat? We have a 335 Hallett. But on the other hand how rough is the "long way" around for this size boat?
Also, how is the noise P.D. lauching a Wauweap Marina w/o mufflers. We are planning on being out there after July 4 though the 9th. Maybe we can see some of you folks out there? Love to see you.
No problems with that boat any time out there as far as rough. We did it for years at Mead and Powell any given weekend with a 34' Hallett.
Just with Mead, Powell can get very rough, but that size boat is safe in 99% of conditions out there. Heck, I have been in 6' swells in a 19' boat there. Thought I was going to die, but we made it.

DEEZ NUTTS
06-08-2006, 04:18 PM
I'm in a 31' Formula and the channel is my favorite part or the ride.

Mardonzi
06-08-2006, 04:20 PM
I agree Deez,, love the blast up the main channel

JJT4BOATING
06-08-2006, 04:21 PM
Thanks Outnumbered and Magic34 for the heads-up and information on Powell. We just were not sure if we needed to pack some mufflers just in case the noise thing was an issue. Any specific spots that we should make sure we go to on the Lake? Or stay away from, I know the levels have changed since we have been there. It's been almost 7 years since we've been on Powell. Anyone planning on a trip around that time? Thanks...

Outnumbered
06-08-2006, 04:25 PM
Thanks Outnumbered and Magic34 for the heads-up and information on Powell. We just were not sure if we needed to pack some mufflers just in case the noise thing was an issue. Any specific spots that we should make sure we go to on the Lake? Or stay away from, I know the levels have changed since we have been there. It's been almost 7 years since we've been on Powell. Anyone planning on a trip around that time? Thanks...
No problem. Do a search on this site: "Lake Powell". We had some big threads going last year and lots of good info on them. Should answer all your questions.

Magic34
06-08-2006, 04:35 PM
Thanks Outnumbered and Magic34 for the heads-up and information on Powell. We just were not sure if we needed to pack some mufflers just in case the noise thing was an issue. Any specific spots that we should make sure we go to on the Lake? Or stay away from, I know the levels have changed since we have been there. It's been almost 7 years since we've been on Powell. Anyone planning on a trip around that time? Thanks...
I know that some of the Magic guys have been ticketed for noise in the past up there. My old 29' Magic had a built up 500 motor in it with cam and was fairly loud, but I was never hassled. If you already have mufflers, I'd put them on for that trip, but I wouldn't buy them for the trip.
I just hate the drive up there. 3 hours and I'm sick of driving. So, haven't wanted to drive the 5 to get there.

2Driver
06-08-2006, 05:48 PM
So if you launch at Wahweap and are able to make the cut off what is the savings in miles anyway?

2Driver
06-08-2006, 06:00 PM
Thanks, I was confused by an earlier post in that lauching from Antelope would save me 9 over Wahweap. So if I launch at Wahweap and have to go around the island I can plan on an extra 9 miles one way.
Guess I could have just pulled the Stan Jones map out of my file :rollside: I don't get that particular about exact mileage but for Powell it seems a worthy exercise.

burtandnancy
06-08-2006, 06:05 PM
JJT, I thought that model of Hallett was equipped with mufflers. The drive around is easy, only a few minutes of your time at cruise speed...

JJT4BOATING
06-08-2006, 08:02 PM
Yes, it can be. Sounds better w/o. :)

NuckinFutz
06-08-2006, 08:57 PM
I have a friend who was ticketed last year at the south end of the lake in his Magic. If you have mufflers, I'd put them on for the 4th weekend. Lots of extra patrol help that are used to small fishing lakes and don't quite understand performance boats. Matter of fact couple years ago I argued with the head of Utah's State Park officers, with his claim that a boat had to have the exhaust exit through the prop or have mufflers to be sold (how sheltered is that). He was also ticketing folks for having non contrasting hull numbers of anything not directly from the hardware discounct store. Thank God he retired.

BoatFloating
06-08-2006, 11:59 PM
Does anyone know at what level they closed the cut?
I remember the last year it was open, and the buoyed off no wake area you had to go through. Thought that was a pain in the ass at the time.
Rick I don't think the cut opened at all last year. When we were there in 3rd week of June didn't look like it was going to open. 3615 is walking the boat though.
Bohica
Thanks for the heads up I guess I had wishful thinking....

Mardonzi
06-09-2006, 02:25 AM
If all goes well, we'll be out on Saturday,,, Running uplake..

Tremor Therapy
06-09-2006, 06:17 AM
I just hate the drive up there. 3 hours and I'm sick of driving. So, haven't wanted to drive the 5 to get there.
Friggin sissy! You fly what, 8 ga-zillion miles a year, but once you get a big ass boat you can't drive 5 hours anymore ? Sheesh! I hope everything will be open! I will be there from July 15th thru the 22nd, and will be putting a lot of $$ into the local economy! So the least they can do is get the big hair dryers out on the Rockies to make sure everything is open when I get there! :)

burtandnancy
06-09-2006, 07:17 AM
JJT4, Of course it sounds better w/o mufflers. My point is; the boat was delivered to you with factory installed mufflers and you removed them. The problem (ticket) may be worse than a boat that was sold without mufflers (pre '06). Just a thought...

Mardonzi
06-09-2006, 08:41 AM
Water level is actually at 3607 as of thurs. There's no way it will hit 3700 this yr.
If the lake hits 3707,, there are some serious issues...
Lake is at 3608 as of this morning.. One thing to remember is that at these lower levels, there are more beaches on the lower end of the lake than there are when the levels come up. It's actually a better lake for boating and camping (IMHO) with the levels down. The only downfall is the distance through the main channel.. which as Deez and I feel is a kick in the ass to run on. With a Houseboat it adds about 90 minutes to the run uplake, which can be a pain when you are strapped for time.

Magic34
06-09-2006, 08:42 AM
Friggin sissy! You fly what, 8 ga-zillion miles a year, but once you get a big ass boat you can't drive 5 hours anymore ? Sheesh! I hope everything will be open! I will be there from July 15th thru the 22nd, and will be putting a lot of $$ into the local economy! So the least they can do is get the big hair dryers out on the Rockies to make sure everything is open when I get there! :)
Blah, blah, blah. You're right, I just hate the uphill drive for whatever reason and the rain I always seem to hit outside of Flagstaff. Just like the drive to Vegas sucks. When I do drive to Vegas (rare), I go through Havasu so I have a 3 hour drive, eat lunch and then a 2 hour drive. It feels like 2 different trips. :crossx: I have to confuse myself like that to make the drive OK. :boxed:

Mardonzi
06-09-2006, 08:43 AM
oh, and as far as sound goes, I haven't had a problem this year nor have I heard of issues for the past couple of years with any others

Playbuoy
06-09-2006, 10:21 AM
Ok so noob question....never been to Powell.
What is "the cut?" where is it? And what's the water temp on powell right now?

AzLakeLizard
06-09-2006, 11:15 AM
Ok so noob question....never been to Powell.
What is "the cut?" where is it? And what's the water temp on powell right now?
The "CUT" is near the Wahweap Marina.. is a short cut to heading up lake rather than going the LONG way around through the Channel.
and the last I heardhttp://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/2889map_of_lake_powell.gif on the water temp is 75 degrees.

Mardonzi
06-09-2006, 11:18 AM
The "cut" is the Castle Rock cut. At high water, it allows you to bypass the main channel around Antelope Island and cuts off 9 miles of the trip uplake. It also allows you to bypass Antelope Point Marina as well as eliminates the choppy water that is encountered by going through the main channel.
The "Cut" was deepened back in the 90's by dredging the area to sandstone by Aramark to allow their tour boats to go through there. Aramark tried unsuccessfully 2 years ago to blast the cut deeper. The EPA wouldn't grant them a permit to blast.
As far as temps go,, I haven't seen a report, but it should be around 74 or so.

Playbuoy
06-09-2006, 11:50 AM
Great, thanks for the info.
Its a long drive from Orange County, but I've considered making the trip. Just haven't ponied up yet....maybe August.

DeepVee
06-09-2006, 11:57 AM
I personally think this passable at 3620' stuff is a bunch of crap. We went through the cut on the last year it was open. The water level that summer was in the -60' range and the water depth going through the cut was only 10' deep. I say it's more like the water will bridge at 3620' and be passable at 3630'. Someone else had confirmed this on Waynes Words the other day but now I can't find it. I've pretty much given up on getting through this year.
Wasn't 02' the last year of the cut and the year with the no-wake zone? 03' was my summer without a boat so 02' would have been my last trip through the cut before it was closed. Now look at the data from the graph on page 1. The water level for the summer of 02' was in the 3650' to 3630'. Again my depth gauge only said 10' deep on 02'.