This winter, the state received an abundance of snow in the high country. With the onslaught of recent rain, the snow has begun to melt, and flooding has occurred across the state. Recently, the impact from the floods started to hit Maricopa County’s regional park system.
Last week, several trails at the Hassayampa River Preserve suffered extensive damage as the river hit its highest point in years. And bridges that typically provide park visitors a safe passage across the creek in the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area had to be removed.
This week, Lake Pleasant Regional Park has begun to experience the aftermath of the flooding, as an enormous amount of debris has washed into the lake.
“Over the next couple of weeks, we anticipate the amount of debris entering the lake from the Agua Fria River will continue to increase as the snow melts. Lake staff are marking impacted areas as quickly as possible; however, park visitors must also be diligent as they are recreating at the lake,” stated R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation director.
While the bulk of the debris will gravitate toward the shoreline, those towing float devices, jet skis, paddleboards, and other types of vessels to recreate on the water are encouraged to exercise caution and keep a watchful eye on the waterways while recreating to avoid boat damage and injuries.
For more information on Maricopa County’s regional park system, visit www.maricopa.gov/parks.
