Utah Builds Temporary Boat Ramp at North Wash to Preserve Cataract Canyon Access

With Hite Marina's ramp sitting high and dry above a retreating Lake Powell, Utah's Division of Outdoor Recreation broke ground March 31 on a six-week construction project at North Wash, the last practical exit point for commercial and private Cataract Canyon trips. The project, backed by roughly $500,000 in state funding, targets completion around May 9 and is designed to hold the line for the 2026 river season while engineers develop longer-term solutions.

Progressive downcutting and falling reservoir levels have rendered the historic Hite ramp unusable, forcing Moab-area outfitters to redirect take-outs downstream to Bullfrog Marina at significant cost in extra transit and fuel. The North Wash project, developed by the DOR in coordination with Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, represents the only remaining viable alternative at current water levels.

The temporary ramp carries real constraints that operators need to build into trip planning. It accommodates one party at a time and does not extend to the waterline at current lake levels. During the six-week build window, construction activity will periodically block even the existing ramp for several hours at a stretch, and changing bank conditions may require hauling trailers and heavy gear across rough slope sections rather than driving to the water's edge.

"Maintaining safe, reliable access to Cataract Canyon is critical for Utah's river-running community and guiding economy," the DOR stated in its project announcement. Carly Lansche, the agency's trails and planning program director, was central to the planning process, which also drew input from river guides and outfitters who rely on North Wash as their standard exit. The Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission provided funding for earlier geotechnical work that preceded the current construction phase, with the DOR and Glen Canyon NRA issuing a joint release covering technical goals and the funding structure alongside the construction timeline.

For anyone running Cataract Canyon this spring, the project FAQ recommends checking the official take-out calendar for current access windows before launching. With the temporary ramp online and the Hite option gone, flexible scheduling is not optional until construction wraps in early May.