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.

Canyon Lake
View from the Boulder Canyon Trail
Location of Canyon Lake in Arizona, USA.
Location of Canyon Lake in Arizona, USA.
Canyon Lake
Location of Canyon Lake in Arizona, USA.
Location of Canyon Lake in Arizona, USA.
Canyon Lake
LocationMaricopa County, Arizona
Coordinates33°32′37″N 111°26′12″W / 33.54361°N 111.43667°W / 33.54361; -111.43667
Lake typereservoir
Primary inflowsSalt River
Primary outflowsSalt River
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area950 acres (380 ha)
Average depth130 ft (40 m)
Surface elevation1,660 ft (510 m)

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

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

References

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  1. ^ "Golden alga-caused fish kills confirmed at Saguaro, Canyon and Apache lakes". Archived from the original on 2022-08-19. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
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