Castle Rock Cut Environmental Assessment Released For Public Review

PAGE, Ariz. — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area today released an environmental assessment examining the environmental effects of deepening an area on Lake Powell commonly known as the Castle Rock Cut.  The environmental assessment is available for public review and comment through March 20.

The Castle Rock Cut is a popular route on Lake Powell that allows boaters to conveniently travel between the Wahweap Marina and other destinations uplake.  Traveling through the Castle Rock Cut saves about 12 miles to popular areas such as Rainbow Bridge, Padre Bay, and Warm Creek Bay. 

The Castle Rock Cut was first deepened in the 1970s.  In 1992, it was deepened again by approximately 8 feet.  Due to long-term drought conditions, however, the Castle Rock Cut has not been usable since 2003.

The Castle Rock Cut is currently open to boaters when Lake Powell is at an elevation of 3,620-feet or higher.  The National Park Service’s preferred alternative identified in the environmental assessment would deepen the Castle Rock Cut to an elevation of 3,580-feet, allowing boats to utilize the Cut when Lake Powell is 3,585-feet or higher. 

All deepening and excavation construction work would occur when the Castle Rock Cut area is dry and above Lake Powell’s water level.  An area approximately a half-mile in length, 80-feet wide, and 35-feet deep is proposed to be excavated.

The environmental assessment analyzes the potential impacts this project may have on the area’s natural and cultural resources and the quality of visitors’ experience. 

A copy of the environmental assessment is available online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsList.cfm?parkId=62&projectId=20386.  A limited number of hard copies are available by calling (928) 608-6200.

Public comments may be submitted online at parkplanning.nps.gov/glca or by mailing them to Castle Rock Cut EA, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ  86040.  All comments must be received by March 20.