Canyon Lake Arizona drawdown project
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Project details
SRP and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation lower Canyon Lake for critical dam safety inspections and maintenance once every 20 years. The same work was conducted in 2007, and before that in 1987.
Here's what you need to know about the Canyon Lake drawdown:
- While maintenance is regularly performed on the dams, some critical equipment is located underwater, which makes it inaccessible without lowering the lake level.
- SRP will be lowering the water level of Canyon Lake by approximately 54 feet through a drawdown process.
- The work will focus on the normally submerged portions of Mormon Flat and Horse Mesa dams, as well as the river channel downstream of Horse Mesa Dam.
- No water will be wasted, just stored in other reservoirs while the work is performed.
- The lake drawdown will not interfere with water delivery to SRP’s water customers.
Benefits
The drawdown project has several important benefits, including:
- Supporting operational safety of the dams for water storage and flood control.
- Ensuring water reliability for more than 2.5 million Valley residents.
- Providing an opportunity for SRP and other agencies and businesses to perform any necessary maintenance work and repairs to their Canyon Lake facilities.
Impacts
Canyon Lake, including all boat ramps and access points, will be closed to the public during the drawdown.
The following adjustments will be made during the project:
- Canyon Lake Marina will relocate slips and boats.
- There may be river channel clearing in areas where water flow is slowed or blocked.
Timeline
The SRP project will last for approximately 16 weeks beginning Sept. 16, 2026. Tonto National Forest will close the lake on Sept. 8, including all boat ramps and access points, to prepare for the drawdown.
- Approximately four weeks to lower the water level by roughly 54 feet.
- Approximately eight weeks to complete the inspection and maintenance work.
- Approximately four weeks to fill the lake back to the normal level using water from upstream reservoirs.
Visit the following websites for updates:
Frequently asked questions
Tonto National Forest will close the lake on Sept. 8, including all boat ramps and access points, to prepare for the drawdown. State Route 88 (Apache Trail), which runs along the lake’s southern shore, will remain open, but travelers should check current road conditions at azdot.gov/SR88ApacheTrail before traveling.
Access will be prohibited by boat, motorized vehicles or hiking due to hazards exposed by lowering the elevation of the lake. These hazards include unstable shorelines, deep mud pools and sudden drop-offs. The Tonto National Forest and Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) will be enforcing the Canyon Lake closure to ensure public safety.
The Canyon Lake Marina is independently operated under permit from the U.S. Forest Service. For inquiries about their drawdown plans, please contact the marina operators directly.
No. Boats will not be permitted on the lake during the drawdown. The water level will drop daily exposing hazards that are normally too deep to present danger.
None of the water is wasted. As Canyon Lake is lowered, the water will pass through Saguaro Lake into the lower Salt River where it will be delivered to meet the Valley’s water needs. Once inspections and maintenance are complete, Canyon Lake will be refilled using water released from Apache and Roosevelt lakes upstream.
The four lakes on the Salt River were created in the early 1900s to serve the Valley’s water needs, provide flood control and produce low-cost clean energy. These dams impound massive quantities of water and require regular maintenance to ensure that gates, intakes and paths of water flow function properly. Maintenance on the dams occurs daily, weekly, monthly, annually and every 20 years. We are approaching the due date for our 20-year inspections and maintenance. This project includes the same work completed in 2007, 1987 and in 20-year intervals prior.
Performing drawdowns during the fall time frame ensures that our hydropower facilities are fully operational to support the electric system during the peak summer months. This timing also maximizes our water storage and release capabilities for winter and spring. Additionally, floods in late January and February could put the project at risk, emphasizing the goal to complete the drawdown work before the late January rains begin.
All dams and reservoirs managed by SRP, which include those along the Salt and Verde rivers and the C.C. Cragin Dam and reservoir, are owned by the United States. SRP operates and maintains the dams and hydrogeneration plants, manages water storage and delivery, and oversees flood control activities under contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
SRP, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Tonto National Forest, Arizona Game & Fish and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) are working together to ensure public safety is the highest priority during the drawdown.
This series of inspections and maintenance is focused on critical dam features that are normally under water and therefore require lowering Canyon Lake water levels for access. The project is necessary to ensure a secure water supply for the Valley and prepare the dams to safely manage flood waters.
If additional work is identified during the drawdown and maintenance inspections, it may be necessary to extend the project timeline to ensure all necessary repairs and safety measures are completed thoroughly. This could potentially delay the reopening of Canyon Lake. If this occurs, additional communication will be provided.
SRP will communicate updates and progress on the project through various channels, including the Canyon Lake drawdown project webpage, news releases, social media platforms, and other communications to stakeholders.
Contact us
If you have questions about the project, call (602) 236-2872 or email [email protected].
