Lake Powell Water Level July 2023 Lone Rock Visual Update Before/After

Lone Rock has seen dramatic fluctuations with Lake Powells water level. Throughout the years of 2021 to 2023, Lone Rock has been a symbol by example of dramatic change within Lake Powells declining water level.
Many individuals took this opportunity to adventure to Lone Rock by foot or by vehicle. This possibly once’s in lifetime opportunity gave incite to locals and tourists alike of the how rapid change occurs within a reservoir. We have witnessed the bottom of Lone Rock Bay and what the land looks like after 50 years of submersion.
A remarkable snowpack in the Colorado Rockies and other ranges have propelled Lake Powell 63 feet. As of July 8th 2023 inflows into Lake Powell have gradually slowed to what is called a "base flow period” which marks the end of the 2023s spring runoff.
As water year 2023 has finally plateaued I am able to present you today the phenomenal transformation of Lone Rock and its bay.
*Disclaimer:*
This KZbin video is not monetized and is intended solely for educational purposes. The content presented herein adheres to the guidelines and principles outlined by the First Amendment, ensuring the protection of free speech and expression. Our goal is to provide informative and educational material.
Credits:
Thumbnail Edit Credit: Anthony Palmero
/ @photomero7836
Lake Powell Data
lakepowell.wate...
NPS Lone Rock Status/Info
www.nps.gov/pl...

[@cheapercharlie]

great job lining up the shots

[@DesertRatExploration]

Thank you! The hardest part is just remembering where I was standing.

[@CrAck-MoNey]

Nice editing. You're doing great work here. 👍 Your transitions look great. It tells the story visually well.

[@DesertRatExploration]

Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated.

[@bmiller8735]

Good job and thanks!

[@DesertRatExploration]

Thank you and your very welcome.

[@lindabrown2211]

Great footage. That is truly amazing and let's hope we have a few more run off season's like 2022/2023 run off to bring back the glory of this lake. Thanks for sharing

[@DesertRatExploration]

I agree. To be honest when I finally went out there that was my first time seeing it in months. It really made me feel joy seeing the lake around Lone rock again.

[@1999evo]

wow !

[@DesertRatExploration]

It surprised me too.

[@gup8175]

Another great vid DRE! Glad to see the reservoir filling up again.

[@DesertRatExploration]

I agree. It’s nice to see boaters and jet skis running around lone stone

[@Annalise-03]

I see there’s already a comment on the great editing and I have to agree. I don’t know how much time that took but the transitions are really good! So glad to see water surrounding Lone Rock again and that Powell has recovered some. Thanks for the update.

[@DesertRatExploration]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. Some shots are off a little but it’s sufficient. I strive for quality and accuracy more than anything. Sometimes I don’t succeed in both lol

[@snowmobile68]

Incredible. Thank you for the video.

[@DesertRatExploration]

Your very welcome! Thank you.

[@kennethjones8353]

AWESOME, FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!! You nailed the before and after bro, seriously. Will probably watch couple more times before i cash in my chips tonight. Thanks for the share, and good job brother. YES SIR

[@DesertRatExploration]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for more!

[@normanfrazier5293]

Great video comparison. Thanks for all the work involved. I know the southwest has been in a 20-30 year drought cycle. Lone Rock is a popular camping and boating destination for my brother and his family so I’ve been there a few times.

[@DesertRatExploration]

Come back next summer! We should still have water in the bay.

[@kimberlyyellick5791]

Keep them coming ….💯👍you do great navigation ,narrating , and have a great knowledge on this matter thank you for sharing information on this only if people were more aware or ( cared )on just how dire the situation is thank you for your passion. Ty a fan

[@DesertRatExploration]

Thank you!

[@genelegate1308]

Still a long way to go but good to see the bottom of Lone Rock Butte wet again.

[@DesertRatExploration]

Agreed

[@markcarey8374]

Thank you for the update. Nice camera footage!!

[@DesertRatExploration]

Thanks for watching

[@markcarey8374]

👍

[@DaveFiggley]

Excellent post, Sir Des. The photography is superb and the before/after shots are most striking. A 64 feet rise in two months is not to be sniffed at but, as you say, ~3585 seems to be the maximum elevation for Powell this Water Year. A while back you said something that made my ears prick up: Somebody close to, or from, the BoR told you the vast majority of this years inflow at Powell would be released down to Mead this Water Year. I can't remember the exact figures but I know it equated to 84%. We are 79% through the Water Year, which ends on 30th September. Powell has so far released 87.4% of the 7.5 maf (million acre feet) required by The Law. Mead, however, has released only 68.15% of the 9 maf it 'owes' downstream to wherever. Mead is seriously in debt and there is only one place that water can come from. I suspect the managers at Glen Canyon dam will withhold just enough water to keep the cut at Castle Rock navigable for the holiday season before opening the gates big time so Mead can, in turn, pass the liquid gold through Hoover to meet its obligation before September 30th. So, Ratty. I believe your BoR chap when he says, '84% will go to Mead'. Come April 2024 what will be the elevations of these two huge reservoirs? Actually, it is one big reservoir spread over hundreds of miles. Well, it doesn't look good for the Mead half. The Upper Basin States, via Glen Canyon dam, are releasing far more water this year than the 1922 Compact requires them to do. Mead can only look on and dream as this water arrives from the Grand Canyon and passes through Hoover dam to be sucked up by the alfalfa and golf courses downstream. April 2024: back to 1045 famsl. The Powell half of this mega reservoir might fare slightly better. They have almost total control over what flows into Mead and are well ahead of the legal minimum release for this time in the Water Year. Whatever, they will still have to dump huge amounts of water downstream before Sept 30th to prop up Mead. Apri 2024: back to 3550 famsl, which would a good result. One river. One anachronistic agreement. One too many large reservoirs. Peace be on you and remember to shower for only 30 seconds .

[@DesertRatExploration]

Thanks for the comment day. I always enjoy the information. Yeah we still have a lot of water to release here soon. I’m thinking that we’re going to lose 30 feet out of Lake Powell this winter just to make up for lake mead and what was restricted to them to keep GCD operable.

[@jnasjr]

Nice. I was there in last May. Amazing experience on a JetSki. How are the levels in the boat ramps now?

[@DesertRatExploration]

They are usable. Also, come back here next week. 😉

[@1Corinthians151-4]

finally not a stupid AI audio. nicely done.

[@JSFGuy]

🎯

[@DesertRatExploration]

Simplicity is the motto.

[@gunnerman4777]

Imagine if we had another snowpack season like 2023 next winter! The lake may be back to 2011 levels.

[@DesertRatExploration]

We can only hope my friend. 2011 was the highest I’ve ever seen with my own eyes. Awesome sight to see.

[@genelegate1308]

I lived in Page from ‘57 to 2003. There was one point when the lake eventually hit full pool and was actually running over the spill gates. I had heard the Bureau installed plywood above the spill gates but cannot confirm that as fact.

[@DesertRatExploration]

@@genelegate1308 you are correct my good sir. Here’s the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2nbi62jqbJrn9k

[@genelegate1308]

@@DesertRatExploration Wow, I hadn’t seen that one. Thanks for sharing!

[@raopsepol]

In theory we should, due to ongoing El Nino.

[@Learninggrowing219]

Is the there real sand on the beach? Is it a long walk from the parking lot to the beach?

[@DesertRatExploration]

Yes! Real sand there and real water!

[@JSFGuy]

Christ on a crutch, a intuitive comparison we can all understand we've been waiting for All this time.

[@DesertRatExploration]

I work for the people!

[@mitchellboring2709]

Blow up the dam

[@DesertRatExploration]

Unreasonable, but I understand your frustration.

[@JSFGuy]

😁