San Carlos Lake, the tribal reservoir southeast of Globe, is closed after a massive fish kill that left the shoreline littered with carcasses and triggered blunt warnings about public health risks. Tribal recreation managers say the die-off appears to be total and that the water is off-limits for fishing, swimming, or boating, sidelining one of Arizona’s most storied fishing spots just as summer gets going.
As reported by FOX 10 Phoenix, the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department estimates that roughly 100% of the reservoir’s fish population has died and has warned of “serious health hazards” at the site. Video from the station shows crews blocking access points and dozens of beached fish scattered along multiple coves.
The tribe’s San Carlos Recreation & Wildlife Department has attributed the die-off to drought conditions and recent releases from Coolidge Dam that stripped oxygen from the water, according to Arizona's Family. The department has closed the reservoir until further notice and lists (928) 475-2343 on its website for questions, and visitors are being asked to avoid the area, the San Carlos Recreation & Wildlife Department says.
Why San Carlos Is Vulnerable To Die-Offs
San Carlos Lake was created by Coolidge Dam and is managed by the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and its water levels can swing from nearly empty to tens of thousands of acres when water is available. The reservoir has a long history of extreme drawdowns and past mass fish kills tied to low water and oxygen loss, Wikipedia notes.
The closure pulls a prized fishing destination, which has set state records for largemouth bass, black crappie and flathead catfish, off the map for anglers and the small businesses that serve them, Arizona's Family reports. Officials have not announced a reopening date.
Tribal managers say they are monitoring the situation and will post updates through their office, and the department's website and phone line remain the primary sources for reopening information, the San Carlos Recreation & Wildlife Department says. As FOX 10 Phoenix reported, officials warn people and pets to stay away from the shoreline while carcasses remain because of possible health risks.
