Wetland Statement of Findings for Low Water Ramp at Antelope Point

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has prepared a Wetland Statement of Findings (WSOF) in accordance with Directors Order (DO) 77-1 & Executive Order (EO) 11990 for the Construction of a Low Water Ramp at Antelope Point.

Lake Powell is formed by the impounded waters of the Colorado River above the Glen Canyon Dam and is the second-largest reservoir in the nation. The lake is considered a premier watersports destination and recreation area. When Lake Powell is full (at a water elevation of 3,700 feet amsl), it accounts for 13 percent of GLCAs geographic area and is a major draw for the approximately 4 million visitors who visit annually. However, persistent droughts are contributing to unprecedented low-water conditions. Water levels fluctuate throughout the year, with recent levels in the lake dropping to a low of 3,522 feet amsl in April 2022. In October 2024 water levels were at 3,577 feet amsl. Lake Powells physical elevation was recorded as 3,571.99 feet on December 31, 2024, and has dropped down to 3,562.55 feet as of March 1, 2025. The existing Antelope Point ramp has been above the water level since December 2020.

The drought impacts to Lake Powell have affected visitor access at 11 of the 12 boat launch locations, with Wahweap Stateline Auxiliary launch ramp being the only operational facility since it has been extended. When water levels drop less than 3,588 feet amsl, visitors, Park staff, and concessions staff are not able to access the lake at Antelope Point for launching or retrieving vessels. There is currently no lake access below elevation 3,520 feet amsl in the southern part of Lake Powell. Antelope Point provides an important access point for kayakers and motorized vessels, including houseboats that are visiting Antelope Canyon and South Lake Powell. While vessels can access this area by boating from the Wahweap Stateline Auxiliary launch ramp, there are periodic closures for construction. Additionally, the distance between Antelope Point and Wahweap is approximately 7.3 river miles, which is too far to serve kayakers. Finally, capacity at the Wahweap Stateline Auxiliary launch ramp is increasingly overwhelmed as it is the only functioning boat launch in South Lake Powell. Therefore, restored access to meet capacity is needed at Antelope Point.

The WSOF determined that the proposed action would impact 3.21 acres of lacustrine wetlands. Impacts would be mitigated through project-specific avoidance and minimization measures and the wetlands would be restored with similar functions and values of those that would be disturbed. Given the proposed mitigation strategy, NPS finds that this Proposed Action is acceptable under EO 11990 for the protection of wetlands and is consistent with the policies and procedures of NPS DO #77-1: Wetland Protection, including the 'no-net-loss of wetlands' policy. A detailed description of the project, its potential impacts, and mitigation measures can be found in the WSOF document.

Document Content:

GLCA Antelope Point WSOF_508.pdf   (16.4 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.