Bartlett Reservoir

About Bartlett Reservoir

When driving through Arizona, it is always an amazing experience to come across a lake, and when you do, the desert landscape that surrounds the water. This lake is located in the middle of the Arizona desert, just a few miles north of Tucson, Arizona.

The clean water of the Verde River is described as the "cleanest water in the world," a water that the indigenous people of the valley call "freshwater." Bartlett Lake was created by damming "verde" (Spanish for "green") in an artificial reservoir, and it is one of those lakes in Arizona.

The lake is surrounded by gently sloping beaches and the rugged Mazatzal mountains to the east, lined with saguaro cacti and flowering ocotillos.

The main tributary of Bartlett Lake is the Verde River, and the 7,500 square mile watershed, fed by melted snow, begins south of Flagstaff, flows east to Payson on the Mogollon Rim, and then west to Prescott. The water level is controlled by Arizona's largest utility, which provides electricity and water, while the Forest Service manages the Bartletts Lake facility. Bartlette Lake is located in the Mazatzal National Forest, about 30 miles east of Phoenix, and was originally near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Interstate 40.

Bartlett Lake then became Horseshoe Lake, which continues on its way to the Verde River, the main tributary of the Bartlett River. The primary outflow is discharged into the Verde River, but the outflow is in progress, with the potential for further outflows into Bartletts Lake in the future.

When Bartlett Lake is full, it covers 2815 hectares and almost 180,000 hectares of water, and it has experienced dramatic fluctuations in water levels. In 2008, the water level was 1.5 million cubic feet per second (m3) higher than the previous record of 3.2 million liters in 2008.

High water levels lead to dirt in the water, so anglers should be on their guard and there are fish cleaning stations where they can prepare to catch dinner for the campfire. Bartlett Lake is a water recreation wonderland that includes a variety of water sports including fishing, boating, kayaking, rafting, canoeing and swimming. Fishermen can throw in boats that they can rent while catching fish, crabs, snails, trout and other small fish. Overall, visitors will be delighted by the beauty of the lake and its natural beauty, as well as the beautiful landscape and picturesque views.

The Rattlesnake Cove recreational area stretches from the Jojoba jetty on the west shore of the lake to the eastern edge of Bartlett Lake, just a few hundred metres away. A hike through the desert flora is an added experience, and hikers often see a variety of wildlife such as coyotes, foxes, wild cats and other wildlife, as well as birds, reptiles and birds of prey. Rattledown Cove features a picnic area with picnic tables, a water park, and a hiking trail and trails.

Camping is allowed, but there are no designated campsites or connections, and camping is not allowed at Bartlett Lake due to the nature of the area and its proximity to other areas.

In 2004, the Cave Creek Ranger District opened Bartlett Lake for long-term camping by the Cave Creek Ranger District and the Arizona Department of Natural Resources (AZDNR) in 2004. Camping is allowed in the area of the lake, but not in conjunction with other areas.

The proximity to the Phoenix / Scottsdale area makes Bartlett Lake one of Arizona's most popular tourist attractions. The lake is open all year round and visitors flock for the cool and refreshing water. It is a good idea to arrive early, as rangers limit the number of boats on the lake at any time. At night, the night calms down and the water cools down to a cool, refreshing temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.