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Lake Powell ferry operations uncertain as water levels fall; UDOT outlines costs and options
Summary
UDOT briefed the committee on Lake Powell ferry operations, saying low lake elevations have repeatedly forced suspension of service. The agency reported limited ridership, rising fixed costs and expensive options to extend or replace ferry infrastructure.
UDOT staff told the Transportation Interim Committee that ferry service across Lake Powell has become intermittent because of declining lake elevations and that continued operation will be uncertain and potentially costly.
Jared Beard, deputy director for UDOT Region 4, said UDOT has operated a ferry at Lake Powell since 1985 and currently runs the Charles Hall ferry. The ferry’s channel is about 4 miles long and the crossing takes about 25 minutes; the vessel’s capacity is about 23 vehicles and roughly 150 passengers per run. Under normal operations the ferry runs hourly with the final daily run returning from Bullfrog to Hall’s Crossing around 5 p.m.
Beard explained that a “primary route” using dedicated ramps is operable down to a lake elevation of 3,585 feet. The park service has permitted use of public ramps to extend operations…
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