Roosevelt Irrigation

About Roosevelt Irrigation

Roosevelt Lake is Arizona's largest body of water and is surrounded by little commercial activity. Recreation is its raison d'etre and it is considered one of the most scenic and inviting destinations in the state of Arizona. Roosevelt Lake is an inviting destination for hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and other recreational activities.

The winter months bring migratory birds and the osprey is the favorite of most visitors, but most of their to-do list is divided between water skiing and jet skiing, which includes a variety of water sports such as canoeing, kayaking, rafting and other recreational activities.

The intersection of Tonto Creek and the Salt River was the center of construction of the Roosevelt Dam in 1903. The major flooding slowed construction progress, but the dam contributed more to the population of central Arizona than any other dam in the state. The Roosevelt Dam was completed in 1911 and was the first water supply for the city of Tucson, Arizona, as well as the entire state of Arizona and Arizona State University through the Salt River Project.

When construction was complete, the Roosevelt Dam was the largest brick dam in the world, and it seeped into the world's great artificial reservoir. After its completion in 1911, it was inaugurated by Theodore Roosevelt and named in his honor.

A dam improvement project in 1996 increased Roosevelt Lake's water storage capacity by 20% and raised its height to 357 feet. Many visitors bring their own boats and other recreational activities such as kayaks and rafts to Roosevelt Lakes.

The Port of Roosevelt, which is under contract with the Tonto National Forest, offers a variety of boat rentals for kayaks, rafts and other recreational activities. Boat rentals range from 16 foot skiffs to 24 foot deck boats and start-up locations include the Roosevelt Marina and Roosevelt Lake State Park, as well as a number of private boat rentals.

Fishing is a popular activity on Roosevelt Lake, and there are many secluded bays and coves that invite fishing enthusiasts. In spring, wild fish include pike, groupers, mules, mules and other fish species, as well as a variety of birds and birds of prey.

Camping is popular with anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts, and five undeveloped, fee-paying pitches are included. Most are near the boat ramp, but there are also five other locations on Roosevelt Lake, with a total of seven locations in the park.

A few small, remote islands in the bay offer a unique opportunity to camp and relax in this unique setting of the Sonoran Desert.

Roosevelt Lake delights visitors seeking peace and quiet, with the added benefit of a large lake offering a variety of recreational activities. Geocachers usually find it a great location for geocaching, hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities, but it also offers some of Arizona's best water recreation options for kayaking, canoeing, swimming, boating, camping or other activities of all kinds.