I was looking at the AZ Game and Fish website for Lake Levels and noticed they listed Horseshoe Lake at 2% full. With some further reading I found that this is common practice for SRP to drain Horseshoe Lake each summer and let it fill back up over the winter. I had been looking for a nearby lake to throw the boat I got from Chris out on, so I thought I'd go scout out what a 2% full lake looked like.

Saturday afternoon was too hot to do anything else, so I jumped in the XJ, cranked the A/C, and took off for a drive.

After driving 10+ miles on the worst wash board roads I've ever been on, I arrived at Horseshoe "Lake". I'll just tell you before we go any further. Horseshoe "Lake" at 2% full is equivelant to the Verde River. :)=)

Even though it was upwards of 110 degees, the views and scenery were quite nice. It was amazing to see that amount of green vegetation.

Looking north/upstream Verde River.


Looking southeast towards the dam/overspill. You can see where the water level should be on the spillway. The river level is 75 feet below based on AZG&F site.


I watched the waterfowl for a few minutes. Bird in flight.


Bird's resting spot.


Looking upstream again.


The boat ramp is a little short. haha.


I drove down the boat ramp and followed the track where others had previously gone. Driving below the water line.


Looking back up at where my first set of pictures were taken. You can see boat ramp in center of picture.


Looking towards the dam again.




From there, I headed back to Bartlett Lake Road. About half way back I came across 2 guys and 2 kids and their broken down car. It was so hot I didn't want to get out and try to help them fix the car. It was also so hot, that I figured they'd be dead by the time I notified help to go out to them. After talking to them for a few minutes, they hopped in the XJ and I gave them a ride back to the Forest Service Ranger Station where they could call for help and wait in the A/C. Good deed done.

I then headed over to Bartlett Lake. It looked nice, but hadn't changed since the last time I was there. I only took 1 picture and it's not a very good one. haha. After that, I returned home from my adventure.

nice, interesting to see the lake like that. Pretty cool how green it was and how it created a wetland area for the birds

wow. horseshoe is a river for sure. how was the water running south of the dam? i like to go fishing south of the dam and wonder if its mostly underground now or if its still flowing ok. you and your spontaneous adventures. i like.

Water downstream of the dam seemed to be flowing well. I don't know if it was any worse or more than normal, but it was about the same size of river you see in the pictures.

its probly a little low but not underground or dry. as soon as it cools i need to get out there and fly fish on the river.