Explore SRP managed lakes and dams
In addition to power and water, these locations provide opportunities to boat, swim, fish, relax and even dip your toes into Arizona’s history.
Dive into the past and present beauty of SRP-managed lakes and dams near you.
Formed by Mormon Flat Dam, Canyon Lake is the smallest of the Salt River Project lakes. It offers fishing and a beach area.
Stewart Mountain Dam is named after the old Stewart Ranch. It forms Saguaro Lake, which is set in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by canyon walls.
Horse Mesa Dam was constructed between 1924 and 1927. It forms Apache Lake, an uncrowded escape for fishing, boating and more.
Named for the horseshoe-shaped bend nearby, Horseshoe Dam forms Horseshoe Lake, a quiet destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Bartlett was the first dam built on the Verde River. It forms Bartlett Lake, set in the heart of Tonto National Forest.
The C.C. Cragin Dam creates the beautiful C.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge) Reservoir, a camping, boating and fishing haven on the Mogollon Rim.
Enjoy Arizona lakes responsibly
The best way to soak up a day at the lake is to do it safely. In addition to sunscreen, water and other lake essentials, you’ll want to have the latest alerts and notices handy. Find up-to-date info on closures, restrictions, fire reports and more on the official Tonto website (Opens in a new tab) .
Discover where our lake water comes from
The water you enjoy in Arizona lakes actually comes from forests in northern and eastern Arizona – an area known as the Salt and Verde watershed.
See the journey that water makes from the forest floor to the lakes you love.
Water, power and recreation brought to you by dams
The water collected in our lakes and reservoirs is released through dams, which play an important role in protecting and powering the Valley. They also create beautiful opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The benefits of Arizona dams
Dams create a variety of environmental, social and economic benefits to our state, including:
- Providing a clean source of energy, called hydropower
- Creating a reliable water supply
- Controlling the flow of water so that we can manage floods
- Creating reservoirs or lakes that provide a place to enjoy the outdoors
