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John Hollenhorst ReportingWith the weather still chilly outside, it's a good time to look ahead to fun in the sun this summer. A lot of people were doing that today on the last day of the annual Utah Boat Show.
The good news for boaters is that Lake Powell has the best forecast in years. It's Utah's most popular recreation destination. And this summer, Lake Powell will very likely bounce back significantly from the drought.
One dealer we spoke with reported big sales at the boat show. And he says the rosy forecast at Lake Powell is part of the reason.
A year ago, the dropping water level revealed all sorts of new sights; great scenery, ancient history, junk. When Lake Powell bottomed out last spring, experts scrambled to document sights that had been under water for 35 years.
Boating businesses suffered through five years of drought. Many believe low water hurt business more than it should have.
John Schoppmann/ Marina Manager: "Right where our marina is, we've had 400 feet of water, even when they said the water was at its worst. So it's perception. The glass is half full, the glass is half empty."
This year the sales pitch is easier. Lake Powell is expected to climb substantially.
Steve Carothers/ Boat Rental Manager: "Yes, we're having a great year. Our presale looks excellent. The water's going to be up there. I just think we're going to have a beautiful year on Lake Powell."
Today Lake Powell is 32 feet higher than the same time last year. By mid-summer, it should climb another 35 to 40 feet, assuming an average winter. Among other advantages, that should restore a short-cut from Wahweap marina to the main lake.
The low-water created a land-bridge, requiring a long detour. The rising lake should re-open the "Castle Rock Cut" in mid-summer for the first time in four years.
John Schoppmann: "That cut is the main question we got last year, 'Is the cut going to be open?' 'Is the cut going to be open?' Well, yes it is."
Another big change in that area is a new floating restaurant and store at the Antelope Point marina.
Steve Carothers: "In fact, we're in the construction phase right now. We're building the largest floating concrete structure in the United States right now."
At the other end of the lake, Bullfrog and Hall's Crossing should be in relatively normal operations as the lake recovers from drought. But Hite Marina remains stranded and out of business. Some believe Hite will never re-open as a full-service marina.
And by the way, the fishing forecast is superb.
