While water releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir are the reality this year in order to keep water levels sufficient at Glen Canyon Dam to support Lake Powell, Daggett County Commissioner Jack Lytle has a clear message for all: Daggett County remains open for business as fun and recreation on Flaming Gorge continues. The most recent release lowered the lake between 5 and 6 feet so what does that mean for recreation? Lytle says the marinas will have to adjust their docks and there is real work that goes into that but they have the institutional knowledge to reconfigure and make it work at the lower water levels. These emergency releases do impact the businesses and are a cause for concern, similar to the impact of releases ordered in 2022. Lytle knows that the concern is warranted but the best thing the public can do is continue to come enjoy Flaming Gorge and keep their plans to recreate in Daggett County this summer. “It will look different but we are not being turned into Lake Powell and we are hopeful to never be in that kind of arrangement,” says Commissioner Lytle, who is also hopeful with a good winter next year this will just be a small bump and not a serious dip for the future of Daggett County and Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
