Water levels

Projections are that the water level at Lake Powell will hit an elevation of 3,639 feet, which is a rise of more than 46 feet.

The current level of the lake is 3,594. The lake is full at an elevation of 3,700.

At one point the lake was down 155 feet. After the spring runoff last year, it was down 89 feet. If projections are right, it will be down only 61 feet by summer.

The greatest rise in the lake's level happened in 1993 when it rose 60 feet in 90 days.

When the lake rises about 20 feet, which is expected to happen sometime in mid-June, the Castle Rock Cut uplake from Wahweap Marina will open up for boaters.

Boaters are currently having to take the swing around Antelope Island rather than the shorter uplake route through the cut. This adds about 45 minutes to any trip uplake.

The cut was closed in 2003 due to lower water levels.

"This is not the only shortcut that will open up with the higher water level," said Steve Ward, director of public relations for ARAMARK, "There are numerous places that will fill in and allow people to get uplake faster."

Once the lake comes up to the predicted level, for example, the distance from Wahweap to the mouth of Secret Canyon, entry to Rainbow Natural Bridge, will be reduced from 50 to 41 miles.

And with the rise in the water level in the canyon, the hike up to the bridge, which is now about a mile and a half, will be cut nearly in half.

"Visitors will also be able to get to some of the more familiar beaches that were cut off. The bay areas will also be larger and more open, and boaters will be able to go back deeper into the canyons," said Ward.

"It will make a big difference in recreational boating this summer."

The rising level is also expected to improve fishing in the long run.