Lake Mead in March

[Flying Tiger]

Originally posted by talltigeguy
Flying Tiger,

FULL? The lake is a long way from full capacity...

Do you mean the lake will reach its max for the year on July 11? I am still looking for a good link to Lake Mead water levels. The Bureau of Reclamation has a site that gives an hourly report, but that's a little much for me.

This is the first I've heard a 'full' prediction.

The new projected water releases have been posted :

Check it out:

Parker Davis Hoover Glen Cyn
Dam Lake Dam Lake Dam Lake Dam
Average Havasu Average Mohave Average Mead Average
Release Elev. Release Elev. Release Elev. Release
Date (cfs) (ft) (cfs) (ft) (cfs) (ft) (cfs)
---- ----- ---- ----- ---- ----- ---- -----
Mar 21 9500 447.2 6000 643.7 9600 1147.2 13100
Mar 22 10000 446.9 7000 643.9 9600 1147.2 13100
Mar 23 10000 446.6 11000 11000
643.8 9600 1147.3 13100
Mar 24 10000 446.7 11000 643.7 9600 1147.4 13100
Mar 25 11500 446.7 11000 643.6 9600 1147.4 13100
Mar 26 11000 446.7 11000 643.4 8600 1147.5 13100
Mar 27 11000 446.7 11000 643.2 8100 1147.6 13100

Average 10400 9700 9200 13100

Mar 28 to
Apr 3 10900 446.3 12600 643.0 12400 1147.8 11100

Apr 4 to
Apr 10 11000 446.8 15700 642.8 16000 1147.6 8500

it got a bit compacted in the cut and paste,, but Mead is going to fill as the snopack melts.

[talltigeguy]

This may be a little easier to read: I did finally find these numbers from the bureau of reclamation:

http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/24mo.pdf

It has the numbers for all of the lakes in the Colorado River drainage, so just scroll down until you hit Lake Mead / Hoover Dam.

My understanding of current water laws is that they will allow most of the water to stay in Lake Powell until it is equally full as Lake Mead.

Note that Lake Mead reaches its peak this month! I can't help but see these numbers as the most reliable out there.

[Original Wing Nut]

How was it?

Hey bacdoc looks like you got the jump on me. I am headed to Mead on the 19th of April, how was it when you were there. I picked up my boat the week before Christmas and have had the itch real bad. I snowmobile and have been enjoying a great snow year, but look forward to it melting now and getting on the lake. PS how did you swing the t-shirt deal the guys at Taylors just gave me a bill of sale and title. You must be a nicer guy than I. Not really they are great guys and I would buy from them again.

[rmarion]

Try this link guys............

http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/.../mead-elv.html

[bacdoc]

Lake Mead

Original Wing Nut,

We had a great time at Mead over Easter weekend. We had to travel through a snow storm to get there. We actually stayed in Henderson and launched from that area, the temp was about 70 and water temp about 60. We got in the water even though it was a little frigid but I grew up in Alaska so I think that helped. The water was low of course and we had to use an alternate ramp to launch but it was fine. The second day we were there the water was pretty rough and it was a good test for the boat, everything people have said about the 24V being awesome in rough water is absolutely true.
We are heading back down on the 15th for another try. This time on the Overton side. We just cant get enough of this stuff.
Youre right about Taylors, excellent people to buy from, they have been terrific about every aspect of our purchase and even let us bring the boat back to store because the temps got cold here in Salt Lake after we returned. Call them and tell them they owe you a shirt.

[talltigeguy]

Rmarion,

Thanks for the link! That gives a nice historical perspective. Note that the lake last summer was the lowest its been since 1965!

Bacdoc,

Lake Mead has to be one of the roughest inland lakes in the west. I've found that its always smooth in the summer for a few hours in the morning.

You know when you get that inversion in Northern Utah...that means that it is sunny, 65 degrees and nothing but butter down here. Winter wakeboarding can be very satisfying