FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — Summertime and heat mean more people will be looking to cool off in Arizona’s lakes and rivers, from rafting down the Colorado River to boating on Lake Powell.
However, many lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in the High Country are currently low, impacting communities in northern Arizona.
The Lake Mary Country Store has served the community for almost 50 years. The store carries everything from fishing gear to boat rentals. Store manager Nick Chlupsa said local lake stores offer a personal touch, which big box stores can’t.
“We buy for what works in our lakes,” Chlupsa said. “We also probably have the best fishing report in town.”
However, he said when lake levels are low, which they are this year, it impacts businesses.
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“We more or less live and die by the lake levels here,” Chlupsa said.
Many of Arizona’s lakes are well below average, especially popular recreational lakes like Lake Powell and Lake Mead. These reservoirs bring in a lot of money. Tourism at Lake Powell contribute $190 million per year in local economic activity.
“Whenever we have a good winter, the lakes are really high. Fishing’s better,” Chlupsa said. “This obviously it’s a little bit dry.”
Rivers and reservoirs are also being affected. Blue Ridge Reservoir is low and closed to boaters, and the Colorado River has dropped 20% since 2000.
Regardless of water levels, many people are still getting out on the water.
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Cheryl and Rick Jenkins are staying in Flagstaff to escape the Valley heat and are using their hovercraft to navigate the water and drier lake edges on Lake Mary.
“It doesn’t matter to us what the water level is because we can go up on the bank,” Rick said.
“And it’s a good sense of freedom to be out on the water,” Cheryl added.
Chlupsa said supporting these local businesses is crucial, as more people from the Valley are coming up to enjoy cooler weather.
“Probably the most important thing so we can get by the dry summers to be able to provide that service for our future summers,” he said.
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