Cave Creek Ranger District, November 12, 2009 - 480-595-3300

PHOENIX (November 12, 2009) – Dropping water levels at Bartlett Lake have prompted Tonto National Forest officials to close off the paved boat ramps providing access to the lake.

“The ramps are out of the water and are unsafe for use,” said Cave Creek District Ranger Colleen Madrid. “Unfortunately, they will have to remain closed until the water level at Bartlett Lake comes back up.”

Although the facilities located at Bartlett Lake are manged by the Forest Service, the water levels are controlled by SRP (Salt River Project). SRP has lowered the water levels in order to perform maintenance on the dam. It is anticipated that the water levels will be raised in February.

While there are some places, such as north side of Jojoba, open to shoreline boat launching, Madrid cautioned boaters to be extremely careful. “Shorelines that were under water until very recently could be soft and potentially unstable,” she said. “We don’t want to see anyone’s vehicle stuck in the mud or end up in the lake.”

For more information, visit the Tonto’s web sit, www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto, or call the Cave Creek Ranger District office at 480-595-3300.