Apache Lake is one of four

reservoirs A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation. Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including control ...

built along the Salt River in central

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southwestern United States. It is the list of U.S. states and territories by area, 6th largest and the list of U.S. states and territories by population, 14 ...

as part of the Salt River Project.

Geography

The lake is located along the Apache Trail and about 16 miles east of Tortilla Flat, in Maricopa County, Arizona. It is about 65 miles (104 km) northeast of Phoenix. Apache Lake is formed by

Horse Mesa Dam The Horse Mesa Dam is a concrete thin arch dam located in the Superstition Mountains, northeast of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona. The dam is long, high and was built between 1924–27. The dam includes three conventional hydroelectric ...

impounded the Salt River, which was completed in 1927. The second largest of the four Salt River Project reservoirs, Apache Lake is located about 5 miles (8 km) downstream from Theodore Roosevelt Lake (the largest), and upstream from

Canyon Lake Canyon Lake, Lake Canyon, or lakes named "Cañon", may refer to: Bodies of water * Canyon Lake (Arizona) * Canyon Lake (California) * Canyon Lake (South Dakota) * Canyon Lake (Texas) * Canyon Lake (Michigan) * Lake Canyon (Lakeland, Florida) Place ...

and Saguaro Lake. The surface area of the lake is at full capacity and it can store of water.

Recreation

Apache Lake is a popular recreation destination within the

Tonto National Forest The Tonto National Forest, encompassing , is the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and is the ninth largest national forest in the United States. The forest has diverse scenery, with elevations ranging from 1,400 feet (427 m) in t ...

, which is the authority that manages the facilities located at the lake. The lake is located along the Apache Trail and a number of other hiking trails can be found in the area. Situated along Apache Lake is Apache Lake Marina and Resort, which offers visitors various amenities. The resort includes 3 motels, an RV park, a gas dock house, a restaurant and bar, wet and dry boat storage slips, and a general store. Apache Lake Marina and Resort is the only development along Apache Lake that offers motel rooms and campgrounds with full hook ups. ApacheDawn Big

Many species of

fish Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish as well as various extinct related groups. Approximately 95% ...

can be found in the lake, including largemouth, smallmouth and yellow bass,

crappie Crappies () are two species of North American freshwater fish of the genus ''Pomoxis'' in the family Centrarchidae (sunfishes). Both species of crappies are popular game fish among recreational anglers. Etymology The genus name ''Pomo ...

, sunfish, both channel and flathead catfish,

walleye The walleye (''Sander vitreus'', synonym ''Stizostedion vitreum''), also called the yellow pike or yellow pickerel, is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the Northern United States. It is a North American close relat ...

and

carp Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish from the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. While carp is consumed in many parts of the world, they are generally considered an invasive species in parts of ...

. 2022 fish kill has been caused by golden algae. Golden alga-caused fish kills confirmed at Saguaro, Canyon and Apache lakes
/ref> Tonto National Monument, with ancient cliff dwellings, is located south of the reservoir.

References

External links

*
Apache Lake Marina

Daily Water Level report from SRP

Arizona Boating Locations Facilities Map

Arizona Fishing Locations Map

Video of Apache Lake
{{authority control Reservoirs in Gila County, Arizona Reservoirs in Maricopa County, Arizona Superstition Mountains Arizona placenames of Native American origin Tonto National Forest Reservoirs in Arizona

Geography

Recreation

See also

References

External links