It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Powell lake look out point gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Lake Powell, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lea, Brent and the staff are great. Because I live in a different city, the”
“My experience with Always Best Care was hands down amazing! Their staff is super attentive”
“I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the exceptional care Siale provided for”
“Lea, Brent and the staff are great. Because I live in a different city, the staff takes care of my father’s needs where he lives. Maria is wonderful with my dad. I’ve not personally met the staff, except Maria, but I’m very grateful for all they do for my dad and me. Appreciate them.”
“My experience with Always Best Care was hands down amazing! Their staff is super attentive and kind. I always felt like I was their first priority and that they really cared about me. 10/10 would recommend!!”
“I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the exceptional care Siale provided for my dad. He was committed to delivering the highest quality of care and truly valued my dad as a patient. Siale, he goes over and beyond to make a positive impact on the lives of his patients.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Prickly Pear Kitchen or visit Defiance House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Lake Powell, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Lake Powell, UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Lake Powell, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Firefighting aircraft to use water from Lake Powell for operations Video Boaters and campers at Lake Powell will soon see an increase in firefighting aircraft in the area. ...
Boaters and campers at Lake Powell will soon see an increase in firefighting aircraft in the area.
Video / Jul 18, 2025 / 10:26 PM MDT
Boaters and campers at Lake Powell will soon see an increase in firefighting aircraft in the area.
Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 07:32 PM MDT
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Happy Friday eve, Utah! Today's weather will be similar to what we saw yesterday with toasty temperatures and a mix of sun and clouds. Daytime highs will run about 5 degrees above average which translates to mid to upper 90s for valleys, upper 80s to low 90s for cooler spots and high terrain, and low to mid 100s for the usual hot spots.
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Mia Bailey tells Judge she is competent to stand trial
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Vandalism found in Clear Creek area of Lake Powell Video Lake Powell park rangers investigating vandalism found in Clear Creek area ...
Lake Powell park rangers investigating vandalism found in Clear Creek area
Video / Jul 14, 2025 / 05:08 PM MDT
Lake Powell park rangers investigating vandalism found in Clear Creek area
Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 07:32 PM MDT
Over the last few years, the St. George Metropolitan Area has taken significant measures to be more water efficient, including replacing millions of square feet of grass.
Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 07:27 PM MDT
A new rapidly growing fire is burning in Summit County, threatening structures and prompting evacuations of those on Forest Service land.
Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 07:05 PM MDT
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Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 06:51 PM MDT
Residents in Ivins, Utah got a wakeup call from mother nature in the form of a rockslide coming down from the Red Cliffs above the city Wednesday afternoon
Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 06:40 PM MDT
Happy Friday eve, Utah! Today's weather will be similar to what we saw yesterday with toasty temperatures and a mix of sun and clouds. Daytime highs will run about 5 degrees above average which translates to mid to upper 90s for valleys, upper 80s to low 90s for cooler spots and high terrain, and low to mid 100s for the usual hot spots.
Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 06:26 PM MDT
Mia Bailey tells Judge she is competent to stand trial
Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 06:20 PM MDT
A shed fire in Tooele Wednesday night spread to destroy three sheds, damage five homes, and injure two people.
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Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 12:48 PM MDT
Hot temperatures continue but an incoming cold front is bringing slightly cooler temperatures.
Video / Aug 7, 2025 / 12:46 PM MDT
A district court judge dismissed all charges against a pro-Palestine protester.
Video / 4 hours ago
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Federal officials reported Tuesday that the water level in Lake Powell, one of the main water storage reservoirs for the Colorado River Basin, could fall low enough to stop hydropower generation at the reservoir by December 2026.The reservoir’s water levels have fallen as the Colorado River Basin, the water supply for 40 million people, has been overstressed by rising temperatures, prolonged drought and relentless demand. Upper Basin officials sounded the alarm in June, saying this year’s conditions echo the extreme condit...
Federal officials reported Tuesday that the water level in Lake Powell, one of the main water storage reservoirs for the Colorado River Basin, could fall low enough to stop hydropower generation at the reservoir by December 2026.
The reservoir’s water levels have fallen as the Colorado River Basin, the water supply for 40 million people, has been overstressed by rising temperatures, prolonged drought and relentless demand. Upper Basin officials sounded the alarm in June, saying this year’s conditions echo the extreme conditions of 2021 and 2022, when Lake Powell and its sister reservoir, Lake Mead, dropped to historic lows.
The basin needs a different management approach, specifically one that is more closely tied to the actual water supply each year, the Upper Colorado River Commission’s statement said.
The seven basin states, including Colorado, are in high-stakes negotiations over how to manage the basin’s water after 2026. One of the biggest impasses has been how to cut water use in the basin’s driest years.
“You can’t reduce what doesn’t come down the stream. And that’s the reality we’re faced with,” Commissioner Gene Shawcroft of Utah said in the statement. “The only way we’re going to achieve a successful outcome is if we’re willing to work together — and not just protect our own interests.”
Lake Powell, located on the Utah-Arizona border, collects water from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, part of Arizona and tribal reservations in the Colorado River’s Upper Basin. Glen Canyon Dam releases the reservoir’s water downstream to Lake Mead, Native American tribes, Mexico, and Lower Basin states, including Arizona, California and Nevada.
Lake Powell and Lake Mead make up about 92% of the reservoir storage capacity in the entire Colorado River Basin.
The Bureau of Reclamation’s July report, called a 24-month study, shows the potential for Lake Powell to decline below two critical elevations: 3,525 feet and 3,490 feet.
It could drop below 3,525 feet in April 2026, which would prompt emergency drought response actions. That’s in the most probable scenario, but the federal agency also considers drier and wetter forecast scenarios. The dry forecast shows that the reservoir’s water levels would fall below this elevation as soon as January.
Lake Powell would have to fall below 3,490 feet in order to halt power generation.
In 2021 and 2022, officials leapt into crisis management mode and released water from upstream reservoirs — including Blue Mesa, Colorado’s largest reservoir — to stabilize Lake Powell’s water levels.
The emergency releases prompted some concerns about recreation at Blue Mesa.
The July 24-month study triggered planning for potential emergency releases, called drought response operations, at Lake Powell, and Flaming Gorge, Blue Mesa and Navajo reservoirs, said Chuck Cullom, executive director of the Upper Colorado River Commission.
“The Upper Division States and Reclamation have been monitoring the risks to Lake Powell since January 2025 due to the declining snowpack and runoff, and are prepared to take appropriate actions as conditions evolve through 2025 and spring of 2026,” he said in an email to The Colorado Sun.
Hydroelectric power generation takes a hit with lower water levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
Reclamation’s dry conditions forecast says Lake Powell could fall below 3,490 feet by December 2026, and Lake Mead’s water level could fall below a key elevation, 1,035 feet, by May 2027. At that point, Hoover Dam would have to turn off several turbines and its power production would be significantly reduced, said Eric Kuhn, a Colorado water expert.
In more typical or unusually wet forecasts, neither reservoir would fall below these critical elevations in the next two years, according to the report.
Lake Powell and other federal reservoirs provide a cheap and consistent source of renewable energy. Without that, electricity providers would have to look to other, more expensive sources of energy or nonrenewable supplies. Some of those costs can get handed down to customers in their monthly utility bills.
Glen Canyon’s hydropower is normally pooled with other power sources to serve customers in Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas and Utah. Its power generation has already been impacted: Fourteen of the lowest generation years at the dam have occurred since 2000.
A strong monsoon season this summer could help elevate the water levels in the major reservoirs, as could a heavy winter snowpack in the mountains this coming winter.
“If next year is below average, then we’re setting ourselves up for some very difficult decisions in the basin,” said Kuhn, former general manager of the Colorado River District and author of “Science Be Dammed,” a book about the perils of ignoring science in Western water management.
Kuhn has also been tracking the releases from Lake Powell with big, interstate legal questions in mind.
If the river’s flow falls below a 10-year total of about 82.5 million acre-feet, it could trigger a legal mire. In that scenario, the Lower Basin could argue that the Upper Basin would be required to send more water downstream in compliance with the foundational agreement, the 1922 Colorado River Compact.
Some Upper Basin lawyers disagree about the terms of when states, like Colorado, would be required to send more water downstream. That’s a big concern for water users, including farmers and ranchers, who say they already don’t have enough water in dry years.
From 2017 to 2026, the 10-year cumulative flow is expected to be about 83 million acre-feet, Kuhn said.
“We’re OK through 2026,” Kuhn said. “But under the most probable and minimum probable (forecasts), it’s almost a certainty that the flow will drop below 82.5.”
Bridget Deemer, a research ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, keeps her eye on how lower water levels impact ecosystems in Lake Powell.
In a recent study, she found that low dissolved oxygen zones grow larger as water levels fall and more sediment gets backed up in the reservoir over time. This sediment can spur more decomposition, which uses up oxygen in the water.
The zones can cut down on fish habitat. Fish don’t want to be in the warm surface waters of the lake, but as they search for their preferred temperature and food source, they can end up in an area with low oxygen, Deemer said.
The effect is greatest right below Glen Canyon Dam. In 2023, there were 116 days when the oxygen was below 5 milligrams per liter, which is the threshold for trout. At 2 to 3 milligrams per liter, the fish can die.
Deemer also studies how these zones are impacted by algae blooms.
Lake Powell researchers noted toxic algae blooms around the Fourth of July and last fall. They don’t know definitively what caused either bloom event, but research does show that warming water temperatures and increased nutrients are two leading causes of harmful algae blooms.
These blooms can impact fish, people, pets or anything that ingests the algae.
“In general, Lake Powell is doing well,” she said. “Its waters are really clear without a lot of nutrients and algal growth. These blooms are smaller scale and localized.”
Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.KANE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A Colorado woman is facing charges after a boat crash on Lake Powell caused a 14-year-old to fall off the boat and sustain serious injuries. Documents say she was operating the boat while under the influence of alcohol.Jennifer Lynn Murillo, 44, of New Castle, CO, has been charged ...
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
KANE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A Colorado woman is facing charges after a boat crash on Lake Powell caused a 14-year-old to fall off the boat and sustain serious injuries. Documents say she was operating the boat while under the influence of alcohol.
Jennifer Lynn Murillo, 44, of New Castle, CO, has been charged with negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury, driving under the influence with a passenger under 16, open container in vehicle, two counts of vessel navigation and steering violation, and a wakeless speed and proximity violation.
According to documents, on the Fourth of July, near the Stanton Creek camping area in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a ranger with the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was dispatched to a reported boating accident involving two vessels.
The ranger was informed that the accident had resulted in a 14-year-old sustaining a severe injury where both of their legs were cut “nearly to the point of amputation.” The reporting party was transporting the 14-year-old to the Bullfrog Marina to get medical aid.
Around 6:30 p.m., the DNR ranger arrived on his vessel at the Bullfrog Marina and was helped to tow the boat with the 14-year-old onto the fuel dock. National Park Service (NPS) rangers were with the DNR ranger, and they helped provide medical aid to the injured teen.
Murillo was identified as the one driving the boat, and allegedly admitted to law enforcement that she had consumed “a couple alcoholic beverages” and was operating the boat at the time of the crash. The DNR ranger identified several open containers of alcohol around the boat while they were responding.
Through witness testimony, law enforcement learned that Murillo’s boat had struck another vessel, which allegedly caused the 14-year-old to be ejected from the bow. He fell and was struck by the propeller, causing serious injuries to his legs.
A portable breath test performed on Murillo revealed that she had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.144%, nearly triple the legal limit in Utah. Murillo was arrested and booked into jail. An official breath test roughly an hour later found her BAC to be 0.126%, documents say.
Murillo was held with bail and has since posted bond. She is not in custody at this time and has an initial appearance set for July 31.
Since Glen Canyon Dam's completion in the 1960s, Utahns have revered Lake Powell for a lot of reasons:But look beyond the jet skis, and there are a number of captivating facts about Lake Powell that might make you appreciate it even more — from overlooked recreation opportunities to fascinating artifacts under the surface.It took 17 years to fillAfter the dam began holding back water in 1963, the lake finally reached full pool of 3,700 feet above sea level for the first time in 1980, according to ...
Since Glen Canyon Dam's completion in the 1960s, Utahns have revered Lake Powell for a lot of reasons:
But look beyond the jet skis, and there are a number of captivating facts about Lake Powell that might make you appreciate it even more — from overlooked recreation opportunities to fascinating artifacts under the surface.
After the dam began holding back water in 1963, the lake finally reached full pool of 3,700 feet above sea level for the first time in 1980, according to LakePowell.com. Most recently measured on July 6, it was 3,560 feet, as reported by the Lake Powell Water Database.
Powell is the second largest manmade lake in the U.S. and its 50-year historical average elevation is 3,639 feet, although it hasn't reached that level since 2001. The water volume is currently about 32% of the full pool amount of 24.32-million acre feet.
It's difficult to pinpoint how many people visit Lake Powell each year. In 2023, for example, the National Park Service reported that a record 5.2 million people visited Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. That eclipsed the number that visited Zion National Park. But Glen Canyon is just one of Lake Powell's access points. Others go to Bullfrog, Halls Crossing or even to a few remote, undeveloped access points.
It's not hyperbole. When Lake Powell is full, its jagged shoreline stretches about 1,960 miles, according to information from the National Park Service. That's more than the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington combined. Powell has 96 side canyons and hundreds of smaller coves and bays.
On the subject of stunning shoreline stats, here's another: 90% of the lake's shoreline is unreachable by land.
Typical lakes have roads that circumvent much of the shoreline with numerous docks, marinas and other access points. Not Lake Powell. To see its best sights (e.g., canyons, beaches, and hidden swimming holes), you need to get around on some kind of watercraft.
When the dam site was chosen, the closest road was U.S. Route 89, more than 30 miles distant. During the initial construction phase, the Bureau of Reclamation reported that the only way across the gorge was a 1,300 foot long footbridge. Driving a car from one side to the other required a 225-mile trip.
And while things have changed dramatically since construction in the 1950s, most of Lake Powell remains remote. Even with more than 5 million annual visitors, it's easy to find total solitude in an arm in the back of one of the canyons.
This unique accessibility (or lack thereof) adds to the lake's mystique. And it's a feature — not a flaw — as long as you plan ahead. Limited fuel, shade, and cell service means extra preparation is needed for a safe and successful adventure.
Do you find that exploring slot canyons on foot is just too mainstream? If so, first of all, kindly reconsider — all slot canyons are amazing. But also know that Lake Powell is home to places like Labyrinth Canyon and Antelope Canyon, which are only water-accessible and just wide enough for a kayak to weave through. (And no, it's not the better known Antelope Canyon — though it's part of the same slot canyon system.)
An essential reminder: Slot canyons are synonymous with flash floods, which often appear suddenly and unexpectedly — as indicated in the name. Always check the forecast across the region. If you see rain, it's best to save the canyon(s) for another day.
The spectacular views at Lake Powell don't stop when daylight departs; some might argue they get even better.
The lake is the centerpiece of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which was designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2018. That means it's one of the best places in the U.S. to stargaze, thanks to minimal light pollution and fresh desert air. On a clear night, you can spot the entire Milky Way from horizon to horizon.
One of Lake Powell's biggest and most pleasant unexpected surprises is that you can camp on nearly any beach along the shoreline on a first-come, first-served basis. It's mostly primitive camping — no developed campsites and facilities — so bring plenty of water, food, and shade.
And while boat-in camping is also allowed almost anywhere on the lake, the National Park Service warns that unless you are on a boat with a toilet, you are required to have a portable toilet and you must bring your waste out with you. If you have a pet, you must also collect that waste.
Park rangers regularly do spot checks of remote camps and you will receive a citation if you can't produce your portable toilet and waste.
This is maybe not as obscure of a fact as everything previously mentioned, but Lake Powell was created by humans, not nature — making it a reservoir. However, "Reservoir Powell" just doesn't have the same ring to it, so it's been colloquially called a lake since inception.
Parts of the lake lie in Utah (mountain time); others in Arizona (mountain standard time). The lack of daylight-saving observance by Utah's neighboring state means you might need to regularly reset your watch when navigating the lake's surrounding areas — and that you have to be just a bit more careful when scheduling things.
Before Lake Powell, there was Glen Canyon — home to Native American rock art, pioneer routes, old mining cabins and all sorts of notable treasures. Today, this history lives through the frantic documentation (photos, maps, preserved artifacts) made by archaeologists and historians prior to the creation of the lake.
You can read an interesting article in The Canyon Country Zephyr about the experience of one of the families that lived in the canyon and their displacement after the dam's construction.
Re-exposed canyon walls during low-water years and petroglyph panels still peek through the lake's upper reaches and side canyons.
Whether it's the unique slang, cultural quirks or devotion to specific beverages and get-rich-quick marketing schemes, these expressions will immediately reveal a person's Utah roots. Here are words and phrases that set long-time Utah residents apart from the rest of the world.
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