Re-Realizing Lake Powell's Low Water Levels in 2022

[@crazybox7326]

my first trip to LP was in 1969. the road south from Hanksville to Bullfrog was all gravel. Mom, Dad, 4 siblings. 18.5 ft. Hydroswift with a very unreliable 100hp Johnson engine and a 6 gallon gas tank. it was a life-changing experience for me and started me on a lifelong love affair with the lake. 50+ years later literally hundreds of visits to the lake, 4 different houseboats and 6 different ski boats and i still have not seen all of the lake. when the lake was near max fill i took a trip where i put my little boat in at Hite and went upstream almost 40 miles (estimate), then went down to the damn with a side trip up the escalante on the way down and up the san juan on the way back up to Hite. wonderful experience truly epic. every year the water level is different. every year the shoreline is changed. every year there are fresh new adventures to discover. and almost every year there is some moron somewhere predicting the demise of the lake. some things never change.

[@ExploreWithThor]

I always say Lake Powell is the lake of a million lakes. It changes by the position of the sun, & by the depth of the water. It is almost magic. Sadly there is a lot of folks who want to be scared, & they need others to be afraid so they feel gratified. If there's nothing to be afraid of they will make something up.

[@ronsnipes5258]

I thought we has a long run of 41 years, but you got us beat! We normally go in May before the crowds, but it can be either cold or windy then and seen it all. Enjoy!

[@Clawson_customs]

I love the escalate River arm and the San Juan I go to both places every year from bullfrog it's a long trip but so worth it I also love going to good hope bay

[@crazybox7326]

@@ronsnipes5258 have been to the lake every month of the year, in every weather condition. i love the months between oct and may as there are so few people on the lake and the lake generally is much smoother because of that. regardless of when you first experienced the lake you always remember it.

[@crazybox7326]

@@ExploreWithThor you know, i have heard so much crap about the lake , sometimes from so-called "experts" who said the lake would be a mud flat by 2000, and others who just object to its presence. generally i ask them where they are from, if they are not from the affected areas of the colorado river basin then i just shrug and say "have a nice day", if they are from the basin, i ask them how they would enjoy their life without water or power. because that is the major part of what LP provides. we are fortunate enough to experience the wonderful recreational activities, but LP provides water and power to millions of people who otherwise would be without. enjoy your content , have a great day

[@BETSWITHFIST]

It was really nice to meet you this morning. Thanks for informing me of your channel. Great footage and commentary. Betswithfist

[@RIOK121]

It is still fun

[@RIOK121]

Thank you Thor are houseboat at lake Powell is Knightline

[@ExploreWithThor]

Happy to help

[@crystalgreen3677]

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for the video so we can see what is really happening. Excellent info. You’ve grabbed my subscription!

[@JohnnyFaber]

We had one of the best trips of my life in 2022. Lowest I have ever seen it but that made for many more beaching, camping, and exploration options. Mid Lake was a ghost town and more peaceful and serene than I have ever experienced it. Seeing Dangling rope devastated was painful to see and brought me to tears as it is one of my favorite places on earth with so many memories, but it will return. I have been going to Lake Powell since the early 80's and have seen every inch of it. It was jaw dropping to see it in such a low state but amazing at the same time to see what has always been under the surface. Love your channel!

[@ExploreWithThor]

Happy to hear that, & I could understand why folks are sad about dangling rope. I can only imagine how nice that would have been.

[@matthewmorasco8993]

I saw the lake for the first time this May it is incredible I hope to see it again but full in my lifetime. Not just for my benefit but for its importance to the people who live around it and their incredible communities surrounding it thank you for a positive outlook!

[@jeanmarsh5227]

We had several wonderful trips to Lake Powell this year. Praying for a lot of snow in the San Juans, etc. Lake Powell is amazing at all levels!

[@ExploreWithThor]

Sounds great!

[@amyslaughter8788]

Spot on Thor. Less crowds were nice but hurt the area. There is so much to see and do - Powell is the just the tip. Share, like, and subscribe so Thor can continue to share what is really happening

[@ExploreWithThor]

Your input is always appreciated. I am still going to give you a call in the near future.

[@Southernblueeyes78]

Great video. I can’t wait to get to Lake Powell

[@joshualavandier7579]

Keep up the good work buddy

[@mtlsoul]

I’m really happy you got a chance to enjoy Lake Powell. I agree, everyone should go enjoy it. You don’t seem to be countering the narrative that Powell is low, just that it’s still fun and beautiful. Hope you get some more subs. :)

[@ExploreWithThor]

I totally agree!

[@melavila3]

Keep up the good reporting

[@QuakeWorldTeamFortress]

welcome back thor! i was wondering where you were...

[@ExploreWithThor]

Just trying to figure out what & where to go from where i was. But I am back for sure.

[@golfaddict5276]

Good to see you back. Yea the false reporting of Powell being dry is a double edge sword, it's nice that the big crowds stay away, but very bad for the local business that the crowds stay away. I'm like you, I would much rather see the low water level as the glass half full, rather than glass half empty. Take care and stay safe.

[@ExploreWithThor]

Absolutely. There's good & bad, but it is up to the individual on how they want to see things.

[@BWTIII]

As Paul Harvey would say, "And that's the rest of the story." Thanks for the balance.

[@Luke-mu3fi]

i recently got my license and wow gas prices just smaked me in face! I cant imagine what its like trying to pay for your boat at lake Powell. it sucks the prices, but I will keep watching if that helps. Good Luck brother!

[@ExploreWithThor]

It helps a lot. Yeah fuel is crazy right now. It should not cost this much per gallon.

[@Clawson_customs]

This year I took 6 gas cans to powell with me each time so I didn't have to get fuel there for my ski boat that big v8 engine is thirsty

[@Clawson_customs]

And my boat holds 45 gallons of fuel

[@CreationAreUs]

This is phenomenal journalism. Cool video

[@ExploreWithThor]

I am glad you liked it. More to come.

[@Clawson_customs]

I usually make about 6 to 7 trips to bullfrog every year this year I went to bullfrog like 4 or 5 times it was awesome I usually take the kids on family trips 4 or 5 times a year and take a adult party trip that gets wild once a year and go down a few times a year with just my girlfriend I love powell ill go every year for ever it's awesome

[@skiingfast1]

I enjoyed seeing the clips you made over the year. Generally, tourism dropped after a banner year the year before. I guess everyone that hadn't traveled during 2020 did it during 2021. I saw this very personally where I live where tourism dropped about 20-25% and at a resort I visited early this last summer.

[@ExploreWithThor]

It has been a real mess for a while. With everything that happened & with all the LP bashing tourism was financially affected for LP. Hopefully things pick back up soon.

[@judyspady4692]

Thank you so much for the coverage of this gorgeous lake that you have given to the world! Unfortunately, there is a huge agenda to try and put an end to the lake which is why all of the media channels jump on trying to make it sound so gloom and doom when it is not. It takes strong, courageous people like yourself to continue to show the truth so thank you for doing so! My Grandparents visited the lake back in the 60s and it has been an important part of my family ever since. Those of us who love the lake need to really bond together to do everything we can to save her. I can’t thank you enough for the part that you have done to wake people up and show the beauty of this amazing lake!!! Godspeed to you, Thor!

[@ExploreWithThor]

There is definantually a lot working against Lake Powell.

[@b2dary890]

Why is there an agenda to put an end to this lake?..and from whom? Honest question, Thanks in advance

[@JohnnyFaber]

@@b2dary890 Over the years there have been several environmentalist based efforts to drain the lake citing everything from sedimentary damage to erosion (go figure lol ..erosion is what created this beautiful landscape to begin with). Environmental groups want it gone. They can't stand seeing people do things like live, eat, and have fun...

[@Iolausrt]

This offends me - where was my invite for those tasty looking burgers?!

[@ExploreWithThor]

HAHA! I am sorry but the currier must have lost the letter!

[@ralphwatten2426]

Most of the coverage is on Lake Mead. I haven't heard a thing about Lake Powell. The coverage of Mead is about the bodies and all the crap that is laying around and in the lake.

[@ExploreWithThor]

fortunately we have not found any bodies in barrels in LP. A lot of surfaced boats tho.

[@kendallfrazier]

Recreation at Lake Powell is better at a low water level. There is still plenty of water for surfing/wakeboarding and the side canyons are much more scenic; the canyon walls are all 100+ feet higher! Low water levels have exposed some real gems like the Cathedral in the desert, Cathedral canyon, Driftwood canyon, and the slots up 50 mile creek. absolutely stunning. Recreation aside, it would be better for power generation and the regional water supply if the lake were higher.

[@ExploreWithThor]

Either way it is still a wonderful place

[@evopwrmods]

Great video, I can't wait to get back to Paige....

[@ExploreWithThor]

You should! It is the best time of the year right now. Unless you do not like the cold lol.

[@rudylovato2759]

Sometimes there is drought sometime there is water. It's life. Like women you have to kiss the ugly ones to get to the pretty ones. It's called life. But i am getting thirsty.