Reviving Nature: The Unexpected Benefits Of Lake Powell's Drought

The Colorado River drought has hit Lake Powell hard, with water levels dropping to record lows in the past few years. But this environmental crisis is revealing an unexpected ecological benefit—the return of native plant communities in areas exposed by the shrinking reservoir. "Nature's doing a pretty good job by itself of coming back and establishing thriving ecosystems," Seth Arens, an ecologist conducting research in the newly exposed reaches of Utah's Glen Canyon, told NPR. As the reservoir's water levels have plummeted, vast swathes of land that were submerged for decades have reemerged.

Instead of being overrun by invasive weeds, these areas are being colonized by the same native plant species that thrived there before the canyon was flooded to create Lake Powell in the 1960s and 70s. This ecological transformation provides a fascinating glimpse into how resilient nature can be when given a chance to recover. The effects of this drought extend beyond just lowering water levels; they also contribute to the rebirth of ecosystems that were once lost.

As of October 28, 2024, water levels have rebounded somewhat since the historic lows of 2022 to 3,577 feet above mean sea level (MSL). However, this is still 123 feet below the lake's full capacity. Gene Shawcroft, Colorado River commissioner of Utah, noted that "Fortunately, a couple of years ago we had an incredible snowpack that brought Lake Powell up by about 65 feet." Today, the reservoir is just a little over 37 percent full, which is an improvement but raises questions about the future of these newly flourishing habitats.

This "ecological rebirth," as Zak Podmore, a journalist and author of a book on Lake Powell's future, described it on NPR, underscores a significant shift in the landscape. Researchers like Arens are meticulously documenting the resurgence of native plants such as Baccharis salicifolia—commonly known as mule fat. This shrub can grow over 12 feet tall and is considered a common and secure species, although it's listed as imperiled in Utah and critically imperiled in Texas according to the U.S. Forest Service.

One of the astonishing aspects of natural environments, as highlighted by Sara Dant, a retired professor studying the intersection of politics and ecology, is their ability to recover quickly when given the opportunity. However, the future of these restored native plant communities remains uncertain. Policymakers face the challenge of managing the shrinking Colorado River and deciding whether to allow Lake Powell's water levels to rise again, which could potentially flood these revitalized habitats.

In this delicate balance of nature and human intervention, Dant cautions against the hubris of "managing nature," emphasizing that while cooperation is essential, nature ultimately finds a way. For now, the retreat of Lake Powell offers a unique perspective on the resilience of native ecosystems, thriving in the absence of invasive species that often dominate other parts of the Colorado River.

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