Canyon Lake (Arizona)

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Canyon Lake
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View from the Boulder Canyon Trail
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Canyon Lake
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Canyon Lake
Location Maricopa County, Arizona
Coordinates 33°32′37″N111°26′12″W / 33.54361°N 111.43667°W / 33.54361; -111.43667 Coordinates: 33°32′37″N111°26′12″W / 33.54361°N 111.43667°W / 33.54361; -111.43667
Lake type reservoir
Primary inflows Salt River
Primary outflows Salt River
Basin  countriesUnited States
Surface area 950 acres (380 ha)
Average depth130 ft (40 m)
Surface elevation1,660 ft (510 m)

Canyon Lake is one of four reservoirs that were formed by the damming of the Salt River in the U.S. state of Arizona as part of the Salt River Project. It was formed by the Mormon Flat Dam, which was completed in 1925 after two years of construction. Canyon Lake, with a surface area of 950 acres (380 ha), is the third and smallest of the four lakes created along the river. Two others, Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake, are upstream. The fourth, Saguaro Lake, is downstream.

Contents

Canyon Lake lies approximately 15 miles (24 km) up the Apache Trail from Apache Junction, Arizona and 51 miles (82 km) east of Phoenix. It is within the Superstition Wilderness of Tonto National Forest and is a popular recreation area for the Phoenix metropolitan area. Recreation amenities include hiking trails, camping, and boating, all managed by the United States Forest Service. Canyon Lake is a popular stop along the Apache Trail (Arizona State Route 88) from Apache Junction, Arizona, passing Tortilla Flat, Arizona, before reaching Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake behind Theodore Roosevelt Dam.

In 2022, a fish kill caused by golden algae affected 100,000 fish. [1]

Fish species

Canyon Lake as seen from Canyon Lake Vista on the Apache Trail (Arizona State Route 88) 2021 Canyon Lake, Arizona, from Canyon Lake Vista.jpg
Canyon Lake as seen from Canyon Lake Vista on the Apache Trail (Arizona State Route 88)

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