Tempe Town Lake
SRP plays a key role in the operation of Tempe Town Lake by overseeing the lake's
dams and monitoring the water flows in and out of the lake. SRP also assisted in
bringing clean, quiet and energy-efficient electric boats to Tempe Town
Lake on which lake tours are given.
Tours
SRP works with RioLago, the company that operates the boating concession, to offer
electric boat rentals and excursions to the public. Peddle boats, rowboats and other
recreation boats may also be rented by the hour.
The boat docks are on the south side of the lake, just west of Mill Avenue at 990 W.
Rio Salado Parkway. Along the shores of the lake, you'll find a variety of food and drink
vendors who sell food you can take on the smaller rental boats. With a permit, boat
owners can launch their own non-motorized crafts along the lake's north bank.
For more information about the boat tours, visit RioLago's Web site or call (480) 517-4050.
The excursion boats cruising Tempe Town Lake are some of the most advanced electric
vehicles in the nation. SRP supported development of the excursion boats' electric propulsion
system, E-Drive II, by two local companies, Electric Transportation Applications
and Electric Transportation Engineering Corp.
This propulsion system is efficient, reliable and safe, and provides silent, emission-free
operation. Additionally, the propulsion system facilitates fast-charging - a feature that
allows the boats to run virtually non-stop.
Through its support of electric boat technology, SRP is pleased to heighten public awareness
of environment-friendly energy solutions.
- SRP operates and maintains seven dams on the Salt and Verde Rivers for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
- The Tempe Town Lake dams are the smallest ones SRP operates.
- The water that filled Tempe Town Lake came from the Colorado River. The water traveled 211 miles and took six-and-a-half days to reach the lake.