disponible únicamente en inglés

Pay bill
Outages
Call SRP

Bartlett Dam and Bartlett Lake

Bartlett Dam was the first dam built on the Verde River. It also forms Bartlett Lake, an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise set in the heart of the Tonto National Forest.

On this page:
    On related pages:

    Taming the Verde River since 1939

    Bartlett Dam was the first dam built on the Verde River. Construction was funded 80% by SRP and 20% by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and it was built by the Bureau of Reclamation. The purpose of the dam was to provide flood control and a reservoir of irrigation water for residents of the Salt River Valley and the Salt River Indian Reservation. 

    Bartlett’s design was completed in the spring of 1936. A contract was awarded to begin building, but with one catch – the dam had to be done in 1,000 days, or by May 9, 1939.

    The Verde River was so unpredictable that two floods almost threatened the dam’s construction. Nevertheless, Bartlett was completed on time in May of 1939 and under budget (by $270,000, to be exact).  

    Bartlett Dam became the fifth dam in the Salt River Project and the third dam built by the Bureau of Reclamation. (Roosevelt and Granite Reef Diversion dams are the other two.)

    All in all, Bartlett Dam stands 308.5 feet high and 800 feet long – the highest multiple-arch dam in the world at the time. It was named after Bill Bartlett, a government surveyor who is credited with discovering the dam site while surveying the Verde River.

    SRP is working to increase storage capacity along the Verde River at Bartlett Lake to help protect the Valley’s water supply for generations to come. Learn more.

    Things to do at Bartlett Lake

    A hidden oasis less than one hour from downtown Phoenix, Bartlett Lake offers a variety of recreational opportunities.

    Boating

    Bartlett Lake has a boatable surface area of 2,815 acres. That's more than Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake combined. 

    Learn moreOpen new site.
    Hiking

    Keep an eye out for mule deer, bald eagles, javelina, coyotes and many indigenous desert plants, including the majestic saguaro, mesquite trees and blooming ocotillo.

    See the trailsOpen new site.
    Camping

    You can camp directly on the shoreline for a taste of two worlds – gently sloping beaches and spectacular vistas of mountains.

    See permit infoOpen new site.
    Water sports

    Stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and water scooters, as well as a variety of boats, are all available for rent.

    Find rentalsOpen new site.
    Swimming

    Find a place to take a dip. (There are several!) Make sure to check water levels, as they affect water quality.

    Check water levelsOpen new site.
    Fishing

    Bartlett Lake has been a favorite with anglers since Bartlett Dam was constructed. Here you can hook bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish.

    See the fishing forecastOpen new site.

    Enjoy Bartlett Lake responsibly

    Plan a safe and fun day on the water at Bartlett Lake with help from these resources.

    Official Arizona Boating Safety Course Online

    Take the courseOpen new site.
    Watercraft Rules & Regulations

    See the rulesOpen new site.
    Renew Your Watercraft Registration Online

    Renew onlineOpen new site.
    BACK TO TOP

    BACK TO TOP