Verde and Salt River Water Releases Causing Closures

Note - See the update at the bottom of this story for areas that have reopened since the issue date.

PHOENIX, AZ, February 28, 2017—For Immediate Release. Forest Road 19, leading to Bartlett Lake, is closed due to flooding just east of the Cave Creek Ranger District office. Forest Road 20 which leads to Needle Rock and Box Bar is also closed due to flooding. Recreation sites around Horseshoe and Bartlett reservoirs have been closed because of water flowing into and through the Verde River system. Recreations sites closed due to flooding include:

• Ocotillo

• Fisherman’s Point

• Horseshoe Campground

• Mesquite Campground

• Bartlett Flat Campground and Shoreline Site

• Yellow Cliffs Boat Launch

• SB Cove Shoreline Site

• Rattlesnake Cove Picnic Area

• Jojoba Boat Launch

• Riverside Campground

• Needle Rock Picnic Area

• Box Bar Shoreline Site

This water will makes its way down the Verde River and into the Salt River which will also close picnic sites along the Lower Salt River:

• Phon D. Sutton

• Coon Bluff

• Granite Reef

Carrie E Templin - Public Affairs Officer - Forest Service - Tonto National Forest

p: 602-225-5290

c: 602-677-1267

f: 602-225-5361

carrieetemplin@fs.fed.us

2324 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006

http://www.fs.fed.us

Up Date

PHOENIX, March 1, 2017-For Immediate Release. Bartlett Dam Road, Forest Road 19, was reopened today, thanks to the efforts of the Maricopa County Department of Transportation. The following recreation sites have reopened to the public:

* Bartlett Flat Campground

* Yellow Cliffs Boat Launch

* Rattlesnake Cove Picnic Area

* SB Cove Shoreline Site

* Jojoba Boat Launch

Phon D. Sutton, Coon Bluff, and Granite Reef Picnic Sites along the Lower Salt River have also been reopened for day use.

The Horseshoe Dam Road, Forest Road 205, leading to Horseshoe Reservoir and the following recreation sites remain closed:

* Riverside Campground

* Ocotillo

* Fisherman's Point

* Horseshoe Campground

* Mesquite Campground

Both Forest Road 20, leading to Needle Rock and Box Bar, and Lower Sycamore

Road, Forest Road 1847/403 remain closed until the water recedes and road

conditions improve.