The Tonto National Forest has implemented temporary restrictions on access to Canyon Lake during the SRP drawdown. Current restrictions include the prohibition of all motorized boats & vehicles on the lake surface or on the exposed lakebed.
The restricted area includes all submerged or exposed land of Canyon Lake from the high water line between Mormon Flat Dam & Horse Mesa Dam. In addition, the following recreation sites are closed: Acacia swim area, Boulder picnic area, Boulder trailhead, Laguna boat landing, Palo Verde boat landing, & the Pointe boating campground. The Acacia picnic area & Tortilla campground will remain open.
The scheduled maintenance will result in lower levels at Canyon Lake until about Jan. 26th, 2008. Canyon Lake will be gradually lowered to approx. 50 feet below the normal lake levels through normal water order during the 4-month drawdown.
Because of safety concerns & the smaller capacity of Canyon Lake, Tonto National Forest District Ranger Arthur Wirtz said the lake will be closed to all recreational boating during the majority of the drawdown.
For further info about these restrictions, call the Mesa ranger district: (480) 610-3300 or visit the Tonto National Forest website to see the closure order at, fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.