AZLance Report post Posted July 13, 2012 Tribal Council just approved resolution to close the lake to the public, so as of today the San Carlos Lake is CLOSED to the public.... .... time now to move on to future issues, discussion about draining whats left and clean up, creating a fund for those who want to contribute, getting some data on silt levels to have accurate water levels in the future, taking the issue to higher powers, etc, fish kill brought on by bad O2 levels, no golden alga in San Carlos Lake. DAN Every time I go up there I make a contribution at the Bashas... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wardsoutfitters Report post Posted July 13, 2012 They should have known this was going to be an issue . THey should have had 10 generators with water pumps drawing water out and spraying it back in to add oxy. What a shame. I bet if they had drought in their trophy elk areas they would have taken care of the issue.. I hate that this happened. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted July 13, 2012 Dan, I feel your pain. San Carlos Lake has been my favorite lake since I was a teenager. My buddy and I would head up there every spring and catch bass, catfish, crappie - but aside from the fishing, it's just a beautiful lake. When you're out there on the water, looking at all the amazing country on every side, you just know it's a special place. Over the years, guess it's now decades, we've seen the lake drop to levels we wondered if it would survive. Somehow, it always did going on 20+ years, but this time, it just got too low. I have a hard time looking at your pictures. I guess a part of me thought that once again, some miracle would save the lake. This time, it didn't happen. From what I've seen and read, San Carlos Lake has rebounded from events like these in the past, but it takes years, even decades. I hope one day my sons will get to experience that lake the way I did. I pray that the elders have a plan that will bring this lake back to where it once was. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted July 13, 2012 That really sucks! Does anyone know why the water is always lowered to extreme levels? Are water rights below the dam the cause or is it poor management of a "renewable" resource? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apache7mm Report post Posted July 13, 2012 A very sad sight and thing to think about, we've always been very appreciative of everyone who has made some contribution to the tribe through this lake over the years, thank you. Water rights are not ours and we have no control over what water stays and what goes, some of the best farmland on our reservation was flooded when this dam was built, it also forced our tribe to relocate to higher grounds, it has brought revenue through recreational activities but also we've had to deal with the low water issues many times, the tribe can purchase water but our water we purchase is the first to go out the dam. The tribe's next move is to drain the lake, it'll give us an opportunity to have surveys done on the silt levels so that in the future, water level readings will be more accurate, also gives the tribe a chance to show this issue to higher powers and make a statement, we need some type of minimum pool established if the tribe wants to keep this lake, if not then we're looking to the future to develop other sites on the reservation. Bottom line is time to do something is now and our council will be taking whatever action it needs to move us into the future. DAN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamaro Report post Posted July 13, 2012 Well Said Dan... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wardsoutfitters Report post Posted July 13, 2012 Dan thanks for the information. It really breaks my heart and my kids heart to know the lake has died. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted July 13, 2012 Very sad indeed. Back when I was the tribal biologist for San Carlos I had to go to court to help the tribe in its case to keep water in the lake. When the fish die like that, diseases can be spread to the water birds and eagles that feed on them. Since San Carlos has breeding Bald Eagles, the Tribe thought the protection of those eagles from diseases brought on by mass fish die-off would help their case to keep water in the lake. That year the lake got low but no fish die-off occured. What a waste to have all those fish die this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted July 13, 2012 It takes a long time to grow a 62 pound catfish like the ones in the pictures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted July 14, 2012 As I mentioned in another thread, I photographed two such drawdowns and resulting total fishkills in the 1970s. Two things impressed me each time: 1) how quickly the largemouth bass, bluegills and crappies can recover after the water level began rising. 2) no fish were released to replenish those that died. Reproduction apparently came from stocks coming down the river. Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted July 14, 2012 I have other pictures with flathead dead on the bank months ago with heads as wide as a long-neck beer bottle. I know the dam is need of repair, and I know the tribe has been conflicted over the years about how to treat the lake. Now there's a Casino, golf course, I fear that letting the lake die this time might have been driven by politics more than science. I'm a huge believer in the fact that out of every tragedy, there is opportunity. And I hope and pray that out of this tragedy, a stronger, better managed San Carlos Lake will emerge. But it is going to take some foreward thinkers, a little strategy, and most of all, the recognition that this lake isn't just a pool of water to be used by the farms downstream. If properly managed, with a minimum pool standard in place, San Carlos Lake will continue to serve the water needs downstream, but can also rebound to be the amazing fishery and outdoor destination it has been for so long. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZLance Report post Posted July 14, 2012 Coach, I agree! This used to be a great fishery and great place to go. With the right management, and commitment to wildlife and fisheries, it could be a big draw for recreationists. The problem now is it is run down. Trash every where, including floating in the water, friends we would take to the lake were disgusted by the condition of the lake and campgrounds... We always overlooked it, because it meant seeing very few people and having the lake to ourselves most of the time. With the salt river lakes being so overcrowded, they could really capitalize on this lake if done right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
reganranch Report post Posted July 14, 2012 Thank God Roosevelt didnt go dry or Lake Mead Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted July 14, 2012 Apache7mm, Thanks for the reply. Hopefully the council can come up with a feasible solution to the water management issue but from what I understand, water right are a very complicated issue with very little room for negotiation as downstream water rights owners (as a group) will never agree on most things especially on reduced water allotments! Hopefully removing the silt deposits will increase the holding capacity of the dam such that the water requirements will not exceed the new dam capacity for many years to come (assuming the lake will ever fill up to that level before the silt is redeposited again). Complicated for sure! Who manages the dam/water release levels? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
