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HELLO MEMBERS

By Gary Yantis, Manager

   The monsoon season is in full swing and Lake Powell is presenting some of the very best in diverse scenery and photo opportunities, as well as more moderate summer temperatures. Heavy localized rains produce sheets of water on the rocky terrain, and can result in cascading waterfalls in many locations. The cloudy skies are nearly guaranteed to treat you to vibrant sunsets, each one different and equally intriguing. Recently I have had the pleasure of spending nights and weekends on the lake as Bonnie (my wife) entertained 3 granddaughters, one at a time, on our boat during three weeks. The girls, ages 7, 12 and 15, all had a great time with their Grandma. The evenings and weekends that I was with them brought back many memories and discussions of prior trips to the lake over the last 30 years with our kids and grandkids. And yes, Lake Powell did show off some of its splendor during that time – some fantastic sunsets, lightning and vigorous storms.

   When you do come to the lake during the monsoon (rainy) season, a few cautions are in order. If possible, launch and retrieve or change locations during the morning hours. The winds usually pick up in the afternoon although any time of the day and night can yield strong blows. Check your anchoring equipment to insure that anchors are in good shape and the lines strong and large enough to hold your boat.  A minimum of three anchors for smaller boats, and four to six for the larger houseboats. If you are renting, make sure that adequate equipment is on board. Many rentals do not come equipped to adequately secure your boat. Oh, did I forget to say - Use your anchors! For some reason they do not hold a boat securely while stored in some out of the way place. Secure them well; bury them or tie the lines to rocks – any way to get a strong secure anchorage. After securing your craft well, you can play, party or sleep without worrying about blowing off the beach.

   The Wahweap Marina was again the site of our Memorial Day Social. Members and non-members launched the season with a lively weekend of meals and fun. About forty people attended for most of the Friday, Saturday and Sunday meals and social hours. The weather favored us, although Friday was windy until just before our first gathering. The other days gave us good weather. The houseboat which we used to host the event from was again supplied by ARAMARK. We thank David Sloma, Mike Walsh, Diana Maris and Trent Sutherland of ARAMARK. We also thank Brian the new marina manager, who had just arrived on the job. He has since left ARAMARK, for “personal reasons”.

   ARAMARK is finishing up on projects that were in the works for the 2009/2010 fiscal year. They are now planning projects with the NPS for this upcoming year, as October will kick off their new fiscal year. Replacement of some of the old covered slips at Bullfrog Marina and other projects are under consideration, according to Dean Crane, VP of Engineering, for ARAMARK. There are four slip units built of concrete panels with Styrofoam flotation that have 24 or 26 slips each. If approved, the construction of the upgraded units may begin this winter. It will take three or four years to build and install them. The large tires for the breakwater have been difficult to acquire for a while. As the tires are more readily available now, they have a couple of crews upgrading breakwaters lakewide, beginning at Halls Crossing. They will move soon to the Bullfrog Marina to replace and upgrade as needed.  With purchase and shipping, even at today’s lower prices, the tires will still cost $400 to $500 each, delivered to Page. They each contain an air filled bladder for flotation.

   A new marina store and executive services facility at the Wahweap Marina is in the early stage of planning. As part of the planning process they expect to solicit suggestions from the slip and buoy customers and the Yacht Club as to what to build and how it should be built. That request is likely to be out within the next month or two. When they get to that point, we will have some more conversation. After the design and plans are completed over the winter, construction is then slated to begin next spring. The construction is expected to take eight or nine months, so installation may occur by late 2011. The existing store/executive service complex has desperately needed replacement for many years. The facility was piecemealed together as the business grew. It began as a complete one stop shop providing store items, gasoline, rental boats and maintenance. The front end (store portion) was built in 1963/64 and other sections added as needed. Lake Powell is no mystery to Dean Crane, VP of Engineering. He provides input for this column. He has a wealth of knowledge of its history, as he began working on the lake as a seasonal employee in 1967 while still in high school. After college he returned for full time employment until the present.

   Your officers (and manager) of the Yacht Club have worked with the Glen Canyon National Park Service to review and provide suggestions for changes of the 2010 Superintendent’s Compendium.  One change has redefined and lengthened the stay limit on Lake Powell. In short, it prohibits staying at any one specific location for more than 14 days and more than 60 days total in the GCNRA in any calendar year. NPS imposes this restriction to prevent individuals taking up residency within the Recreation Area and allow boaters more opportunity for various beach locations. The rule from the compendium is:

“Overnight Boat Mooring: The following is prohibited:”

“Occupancy of a slip, mooring buoy, or specific location, to include a campsite in a campground, on a beach, or any other location within Glen Canyon NRA for more than 14 consecutive days in any specific location or more than 60 days total in the park in any calendar year.”

   Other regulations in marinas and on unoccupied vessels are listed.  You can review the complete Compendium and Appendix A on the Internet at www.nps.gov/glca/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm. Click on either “Superintendents Compendium” or “Appendix A”. You can also stop at the NPS headquarters in Page to request a copy.

   From discussions in the August 5^th Lake Powell Invasive Mussel Prevention Taskforce, Utah Parks & Recreation officials emphasize that all other waters of Utah are mussel free. Lake Powell is still mussel free, as both voluntary and mandatory controls continue by the National Park Service. Nightly launch ramp closure hours and decontamination of suspect boats at marinas continue as we go through another busy season. Michelle Haas (NPS) Invasive Species Supervisor has been heading up the program for the NPS. Unfortunately, she is transferring to the NPS Interpretive department, but Mark Anderson, Aquatic Ecologist, will lead the program. Lynn Hunter, Bureau of Reclamation, Glen Canyon Dam Powerplant Operations Manager, has been very successful in securing Bureau funds for billboards, brochures, magazine notices and radio announcements. You will see one of their large billboards near the junction of Hwy. 89 and 89A, between Flagstaff and Page. Boaters that are heading toward Lake Powell or Lee’s Ferry will see the picture of a mussel covered propeller and the message “STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS”. The Bureau of Reclamation was slow to contribute much prevention assistance, but with Hunter’s constant pressure the agency has finally provided meaningful funding for the mussel prevention programs. Unfortunately Lynn is retiring this month, so the Bureau’s continuing efforts will rest with the incoming manager, Roger Williams. The primary players in the prevention efforts are the National Park Service and Utah Parks and Recreation, Arizona Game & Fish, the Bureau of Reclamation, provide funding and manpower. ARAMARK (Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas) and Antelope Marina provide the decontamination services.

   Regardless of where you come from or where on Lake Powell you are launching, take the important measures necessary to insure that you do not transport quagga mussels or other invasive species on your boat or equipment. Lake Powell is still Quagga Mussel Free!

   Save gas and also wear and tear on your vehicle and boat. Store your houseboats, cruisers, PWCs and also RVs in the Yacht Club storage yard. It is lighted, secure and you can work on your boat with personal access 24 hours a day. Reserve your space by contacting the office at 928-645-3992, or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

   Boat safely and greet other boaters with a wave of the hand. It will improve their attitude and also yours. Have a great time on the lake – The Jewel of the Desert, Lake Powell!