Glen Canyon Celebrating Resource Management Efforts to Eliminate Pin Anchoring at Lake Powell

News Release Date:
October 3, 2024

Contact:Mary Plumb

For many years Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Glen Canyon) managers have worked to eliminate the practice of pin anchoring houseboats at Lake Powell. This is the act of anchoring vessels utilizing a device inserted into the rock either in a natural opening or one created by a person, including reusing existing pin anchors and/or drilled holes. This practice results in damage to resources including canyon walls and slickrock.
Traditional anchoring practices have been authorized in Glen Canyon, which involve burying anchors in sand and tying vessels off to natural features. In 2021, a pilot program was initiated to test an alternative anchor system using anchor bags in addition to these methods. That pilot program was successful and has now become a third legal anchoring option for boaters. Public education and notification have been ongoing for the last several years by park staff regarding authorized anchoring practices, which has included the issuance of warning violations.
Park rangers at Lake Powell patrol the recreation area by land, water and air to assess visitation, safety and compliance with regulations. Currently, citations are being issued for vessels pinned to the slickrock, whether by newly created holes or previously created ones, and are now being prosecuted with mandatory appearances in court and fines being levied per pin anchor used. Vessels that are cited for pin anchoring must relocate and/or change anchoring method within 24 hours or terminate their voyage.
We commend and thank our boating community who have reported the pinning practice on the lake and who are making choices to protect resources in your national park unit. Planning your trip and anchoring method(s) on Lake Powell well in advance will make for a safe and responsible voyage.

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