Lake Powell opened into Gulf...

Lake Powell was manually opened y'day as water levels in the lake had reached critical levels. Here is the story we ran on WJHG today...

Lake Powell

And a picture I took today....

Wow! That'a a gigantical channel!

Lake Powell was manually opened y'day as water levels in the lake had reached critical levels.

How is the water level determined to be critical?

Who makes the call to open it?

Read the linked article Treefrog, it explains everything. The artificial barrier put up to defend the lake from BP was preventing the lake from naturally opening and it was finally removed...

We were on Lake Powell a few years ago when it opened naturally and we went out into the Gulf. There were hundreds of sand dollars at the mouth of the Gulf. All were in perfect shape, just beautiful.

How is the water level determined to be critical?

Who makes the call to open it?

Typically with Lake Powell, the state parks are also involved as they are an adjacent property owner. Additionally, Lake Powell has a Management Plan that was developed a few years ago.

Read the linked article Treefrog, it explains everything. The artificial barrier put up to defend the lake from BP was preventing the lake from naturally opening and it was finally removed...

Yeah...about that...

Draper Lake still has the artificial barrier with the culvert through it. There's no way for it to ever open on its own. I understand why they were semi-dammed, but how long are the barriers supposed to stay? It has to be affecting the ecosystems of the dune lakes that are blocked...

I agree Will. Eastern Lake's berm was removed several months ago. I wonder why they have been waiting so long for some of them? Perhaps it's a funding issue? Perhaps some residents have just been more vocal, as Eastern Lake has a fairly large population living in it...

errr 'ON' it....can't edit with my iPhone...lol

No, you were right before - they're vocal 'cuz they think they'll live in it if it REALLY backs up. ;-)

Not the case - even after Ivan.

That is right down the beach from where we stay. We always walk down to that spot and turn around and go back. But we have actually walked across that one time when it was closed and it was chest deep on us. Wish I were there right now.

Interesting to read about days past when Lake Powell was actually closed to the gulf! Lol. Seems like it's been open since the torrential rains of last July (and actually was open a good bit of last spring as well - of course, it's not opened "naturally"...)

I wonder if being forced open so often messes up the balance of water chemistry at all? Anyone know?

Yeah...about that...

Draper Lake still has the artificial barrier with the culvert through it. There's no way for it to ever open on its own. I understand why they were semi-dammed, but how long are the barriers supposed to stay? It has to be affecting the ecosystems of the dune lakes that are blocked...

Realize yours is from 2011 but I went past Draper Lake yesterday (Easter Sunday-4/20/14) and it was practically dry and was wondering if someone opened it? Lots of rain this week-end. Anyone know?