Page Arizona is a town founded in
1957 to build a dam and supplied the
southwest with water and electricity
and Lake Powell is their lifeline. I
don't see it getting
better in Lake Powell.
It's just getting worse.
They're dragging kayaks on concrete.
Because at this ramp
the nearest parking lot is a
football field away from the water.
This is why they can't launch
boats. All of this would be under water.
Last year all of it powerboats
can launch at Lake Powell,
but not at this ramp.
Keegan Murphy from Hidden Canyon
Kayak says just putting a small
boat in the water is a challenge.
If the water drops another five feet you
can see the rockledge right there.
Yeah, we won't be able to do
tours anymore unless you run with
your kayak and you jump on it.
'cause after that ledge
is about 25 foot drop.
You could do kayaking.
It would just be very dangerous.
Most people wouldn't be able to
do it. The lake level may be down,
but the houseboat business is
booming at Wahweap Marina. These
houseboats are already in the water.
When the water level drops, the docks
are lowered to. 4,000,000 people
visited the area in 2019 and
during our stay most of the
boat rentals were sold out.
Plenty of water in our lake
and we are ready to go. Judy Franz
is the executive director of the
Chamber of Commerce and Page Arizona.
Are you concerned about
the drought? No, it's 450
feet of water in there. Yes,
we've had some issues with our ramps.
We know that, but they are working on that.
France says despite the drought.
Page is open for business and
the tourists are back to help
support their tourism page.
Arizona has a beautiful golf course,
but we're told these lush
fairways are kept green.
Using recycled water page
was founded in 1957 to support
the construction of the Glen
Canyon Dam and since then,
18 hotels and 28 restaurants have followed.
We're always hopeful here.
That's The thing
is that we never ever
get negative in Page. The
lake is changing almost every day.
In fact, that little island over there
last year at this time would have
been 40 feet underwater.
A lowering water level has also
uncovered several shipwrecks for
visitors to explore and more.
What people don't realize is
with the water going down,
we have unbelievable beaches
now that never were there,
so all of a sudden there's all
these beaches. It's gorgeous.
People are going. Oh my gosh,
there's stuff that we've not seen for years.
As beautiful as it is, Lake Powell wasn't
filled in the 1960s for tourism. 30
million people.
Downstream are relying on this water.
Brian Hill is the general manager
of Page Utility enterprises,
the lake being really low,
is having an economic impact.
Even if Lake Powell and
tourism suffer, Hill
isn't worried about page
running out of water. If you could picture a
bathtub in your bathroom,
we'd get like a teaspoon,
maybe a half a teaspoon out of that bathtub.
So even though we're watching
this bathtub go way down,
we believe that we're always
going to be able to get our half
a teaspoon out of this thing.
But what's disturbing is
the 30 some million people
down below us here that are
relying on this. If Lake
Powell dried up, what would
happen to Paige? It would kill
probably 50 to 60% of the businesses
in town for those living below
Lake Powell, being mindful of
every drop won't just save water,
but possibly a town.
Take quick showers.
Don't water your lawn as much you know.
Just use your
water for what it's what you need it for.
When you do visit Lake Powell,
promise me you won't forget your
bathing suit at Lake Powell.
Jeff civilly, that feels wonderful.