By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
It is the ideal time of year for visiting Lake Mead. The weather is perfect. The sun is shining. The fish are biting. But it is also the time for dropping water levels. And last week, the water level at Lake Mead reached a low point that hasn’t been seen in nearly 80 years.
On Sunday morning, the surface of the lake dipped below the previous low-water mark of 1,080.19 feet above sea level, set last year on August 13, 2014. The low point for this year is expected to come in June when the levels are projected to reach 1,073.03 before they start their cyclical rise again. According to Bureau of Reclamation statistics, the last time the lake was this low was when it was filling up behind Hoover Dam in May of 1937.
The twelve year drought that has stricken the Colorado River system has delivered another dry year to the mountains of Utah, Colorado and Wyoming which supply water to the system. Forecasters are expecting the river’s flow to only be around 63 percent of normal this year.
But officials at Lake Mead National Recreation Area are already at work to make sure that the new low water levels won’t be affecting recreation on the lake. The National Park Service is applying approximately $1.5 million in vessel fee revenues that it collects from boaters to extend Lake Mead launch ramps during the lowest water period this summer.
“Although water elevations will be at an all-time low this summer, the reservoir is still one of the largest in the U.S., and once on the water, the boating experience is still phenomenal,” said Lake Mead acting superintendent Patrick Gubbins. “With nearly 7 million annual visitors, Lake Mead National Recreation Area is one of America’s most popular recreation destinations. We are committed to maintaining lake access at all of our open launch ramps.”
That includes the low water launch area at Echo Bay. Currently the concrete ramp extends to the 1,083 foot elevation. Concrete planking extends beyond that to 1,072. The Park Service plans to extend the permanent concrete out to 1,072 feet this summer with concrete planks extending into the 1,060s.
During construction, which is scheduled to begin in mid-May, portions of the launch ramps will be closed, so crews can pour new concrete. But Park staff ensures that at least one lane will remain open at all locations.
Lake Mead spokeswoman Christie Vanover classifies Echo Bay as one of the top spots to launch on the lake during the low water conditions.
“There seems to be some confusion about Echo Bay because the marina was closed,” Vanover said. “But I’ve been telling people that it has about the best conditions for launching on the lake right now.”
Vanover said that the slope and grade at Echo Bay makes it easier to launch there than at other ramps that have a flatter grade. In addition, the ramp’s concrete plank extensions which are now exposed are much better than the metal pipe mat extensions existing at other ramps on the lake, she said.
Though the marina has closed, Echo Bay still has a fish cleaning station, restrooms, camping facilities, an RV village, a convenience store and land-based fuel, Vanover said.
“Plus, it is so quiet and peaceful out there on the north end of the lake,” Vanover added. “It is really one of the best places to go on the lake.”
