186 miles
Lake Powell's length at normal water-surface elevation
The reservoir extends from Glen Canyon Dam into southern Utah.
Project data accessed July 15, 2026
Source: Bureau of Reclamation, Glen Canyon DamLake Powell reference
Lake Powell facts & statistics
Key figures on the lake, Glen Canyon and the visitor economy around Page, Arizona. Every statistic below is linked to its original public source and dated so it is easy to quote accurately.
Updated July 15, 2026
A practical picture of the lake.
Lake Powell is a vast, changing reservoir within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Some measurements describe the lake at full or normal elevation; current water-storage figures are marked with the reporting date because they can change over time.
The numbers
Lake Powell by the numbers.
Reference figures for the reservoir, recreation area and the communities that welcome its visitors.
161,390 acres
Lake Powell's surface area at normal water-surface elevation
Surface area changes as the reservoir elevation changes.
Project data accessed July 15, 2026
Source: Bureau of Reclamation, Glen Canyon Dam25.16 million acre-feet
Total Lake Powell storage capacity
The Bureau of Reclamation lists 23.4 million acre-feet as active capacity.
Project data accessed July 15, 2026
Source: Bureau of Reclamation, Glen Canyon Dam1,960 miles
Lake Powell shoreline at full pool
The shoreline figure reflects a full-pool elevation of 3,700 feet.
Updated May 27, 2026
Source: National Park Service, Glen Canyon statistics4,725,610
Recreation visits to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in 2024
That total included 532,202 recreation visits in the Antelope Point District.
2024 visitation data; page updated May 27, 2026
Source: National Park Service, Glen Canyon statistics$518.2 million
Visitor spending near Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge in 2024
The National Park Service reported a $635.4 million cumulative local economic benefit from that spending.
Report published September 30, 2025
Source: National Park Service visitor-spending report5.62 million acre-feet
Lake Powell storage at the end of April 2026
The Bureau of Reclamation reported this as 24% of live capacity, at elevation 3,526.99 feet.
Status updated May 22, 2026
Source: Bureau of Reclamation, Glen Canyon Dam operations96 side canyons
Side canyons identified in the Lake Powell water-recreation advisory
Conditions can vary across the lake because of its scale, heat and changing water levels.
Updated May 22, 2026
Source: National Park Service, Lake Powell water qualityHow to read this page
Terms and context matter.
Capacity describes how much water the reservoir can hold at its specified elevation. It is different from a current storage reading.
Full pool and normal elevation figures describe a defined water level, so they should not be treated as the lake's current shoreline or surface area.
Visitation and spending figures apply to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, or the combined Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge report where stated. They are not a count of High Desert Paddle Co. guests or of Lake Powell visitors alone.
Sources and citation
Primary public sources.
- Bureau of Reclamation: Glen Canyon Dam project data
- Bureau of Reclamation: Glen Canyon Dam water operations
- National Park Service: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area statistics
- National Park Service: 2024 visitor-spending report for Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge
- National Park Service: Lake Powell water quality and recreation advisory
Suggested citation: High Desert Paddle Co., "Lake Powell Facts & Statistics (2026)," updated July 15, 2026. https://highdesertpaddle.com/lake-powell-facts.