How clean are Arizona lakes? (Phoenix, Payson: how much, live, agricultural)

[JGatti]

I hope the title does not bring in people thinking I'm trying to be insulting. I'm curious if Arizona tests their pollution levels and how clean are they? It's my understanding that many of them are man made so I wonder how much or often they get fresh water. We visited a lake while out there on vacation and being spoiled from so many of our Michigan lakes I kind of rubbed my brother ( 30 yr plus Az resident) the wrong way when I commented the water looked dirty to me.
Arizona is looking like a stronger possibility for us to move and I plan on getting some water toy's if we do. I'm just curious about the lakes. I know there are not a lot and I also know they all get a lot of use.

[AzDreamer]

One thing almost all midwest lakes have that AZ lakes doesn't is agricultural runoff. Here's a link for more details.

Pollution in Your Area of the United States

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by AzDreamer

One thing almost all midwest lakes have that AZ lakes doesn't is agricultural runoff. Here's a link for more details.

Pollution in Your Area of the United States

Or industrial wastes. There really is nothing in the bigger lakes around Phoenix. Roosevelt and Salt River Lakes can get pretty turbid in the upper areas and have logs floating around following flood events. Same thing with the Verde River lakes. Lake Pleasant gets water from CAP canal and is about as clear as tap water. Many of the smaller lakes have mercury problems - don't eat the fish warnings. There are various theories as to where it comes from ranging from natural occurring (most likely) to mining (likely in some cases). The in-town lakes are all murky looking from algae and duck poop. I wouldn't eat a fish from them, but others do and live (I guess).

[KarmaPhx]

I would not swim in many of the lakes here due to the pollution, tons of glass bottles sit at the bottom of many of these lakes. If I am out on a boat I will get in the water since it's deep but no way I am coming in from shore.

I have swam in a few lakes up north when I was a kid, but I am not sure exactly what lakes, I know one was near Payson.

[JGatti]

I know I am guilty of selective thinking when it comes to our lakes. Because so many I would never even consider taking my kids I guess I don't even think about them. We had metro beach close year after year for awhile due to e coli. When I think about lakes I think of the smaller less used inland lakes because those are the only ones I ever use. Then there is my dream lake up north called Torch, I have never been to a nicer lake in my life. 22 miles long and crystal clear waist level water with sandy bottom all over for fun.

That sucks that you have to contend with glass. People are so stupid. My brother did tell me they have log's that surface one in awhile in some of the lakes because they were just flooded valley's from way back. Hitting one skiing would certainly suck.

Thanks for the info though. I'm sure I would find a favorite if we move out there. What one is really long and is kind of like in a canyon? Almost looks like a river. That seems like it would be cool.

[acrylic]

Originally Posted by JGatti

I know I am guilty of selective thinking when it comes to our lakes. Because so many I would never even consider taking my kids I guess I don't even think about them. We had metro beach close year after year for awhile due to e coli. When I think about lakes I think of the smaller less used inland lakes because those are the only ones I ever use. Then there is my dream lake up north called Torch, I have never been to a nicer lake in my life. 22 miles long and crystal clear waist level water with sandy bottom all over for fun.

That sucks that you have to contend with glass. People are so stupid. My brother did tell me they have log's that surface one in awhile in some of the lakes because they were just flooded valley's from way back. Hitting one skiing would certainly suck.

Thanks for the info though. I'm sure I would find a favorite if we move out there. What one is really long and is kind of like in a canyon? Almost looks like a river. That seems like it would be cool.

Well, there is the Colorado RIVER that actually goes through the Grand Canyon, but I have a feeling you may be talking about Lake Powell, up on the AZ/UT border, close to Page.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by acrylic

Well, there is the Colorado RIVER that actually goes through the Grand Canyon, but I have a feeling you may be talking about Lake Powell, up on the AZ/UT border, close to Page.

Powell is hundreds of miles of shoreline - more than California coast. Powell is mile upon mile of open ski water. Of the local lakes - Apache is the "snakiest" and the prettiest. It's basically a flooded canyon of the Salt River. Canyon is very cool too, but smaller. It is an unforgettable experience under a full moon. The rocks are simply haunting. Havasu is something like 50 miles long. It seems to be windy every time I go there though.

I think Karma is kind of overblowing the glass issue. Pleasant is the worst for this, but if you get away from where the losers are, its pristine.

[kdog]

There's also Lake Mohave, the next lake north of Havasu. 60 miles long and runs all the way to the Hoover Dam. Then of course there's Lake Mead.

[Chorizo]

Does Apache Lake even have water in it anymore? The last I was through there (Dec 07) the water level was WAY down. There was a small island we'd always drive our boat around... I saw it - it could have been walked to with out even getting wet!

[thegirlinaz]

I've swam in Arizona lakes my entire life and I am healthy and don't have any weird deformities or anything, lol. Just don't drink the water!