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Economics3h 50m ago
The drought-induced drawdown of Flaming Gorge Reservoir, intended to save downstream Lake Powell, is negatively impacting the recreation economy in Wyoming and Utah.
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Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming-Utah, Green River, Lake Powell, Utah-Arizona border, Lees Ferry, Colorado River Basin states of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, Sweetwater County, Rock Springs
Who
Tony Valdez, marina owners, campers, Green River man, federal officials, Colorado River Compact scholars, water officials, Bryan Seppie, Wyoming State Engineer Brandon Gebhart, WyoFile, The Water Desk at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Center for Environmental Journalism
What
The drought-induced drawdown of Flaming Gorge Reservoir, intended to save downstream Lake Powell, is negatively impacting the recreation economy in Wyoming and Utah.
When
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:43:17 GMT · 3h 50m ago
Where
Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming-Utah, Green River, Lake Powell, Utah-Arizona border, Lees Ferry, Colorado River Basin states of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, Sweetwater County, Rock Springs ·
Why
The reservoir is being drawn down to maintain the Colorado River system and prevent Lake Powell from dropping below its “minimum power pool”, a consequence of over 20 years of drought intensified by human-caused climate change and historically low snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
The Frontline Impact
How this affects you
The ongoing emergency drawdown of Flaming Gorge Reservoir is causing significant economic losses for marina owners and other businesses reliant on recreation, with repairs to damaged infrastructure and potential closure of marinas, while also threatening the local fishery and drinking water access.
Story chain
3 events in this thread- Economics3h 50m agoAfter more than 20 years of drought intensified by human-caused climate change, the Colorado River is in crisis, putting at risk massive agricultural irrigation operations that consume about 80 percent of its water.Open article
- Currently Reading3h 50m agoThe drought-induced drawdown of Flaming Gorge Reservoir, intended to save downstream Lake Powell, is negatively impacting the recreation economy in Wyoming and Utah.
- Economics3h 50m agoThe Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the Wyoming-Utah border is experiencing a significant drawdown, impacting local businesses and recreation as water is released to support Lake Powell, which is at risk of falling below its minimum power pool.Open article