Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Agua Fria Conservation Area
NEW: Thank you for your interest and continued support in Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department’s ongoing effort to restore the Agua Fria Conservation Area. The Department understands that the area is considered by anglers to be a prime fishing spot during the springtime and has developed a plan to allow motorized vehicles towing small trailers/watercraft access to the shoreline for a limited time. The area is currently open daily on a walk-in basis. Opening dates for motorized vehicles are as follows:
- 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 28
During this period, a volunteer from Lake Pleasant Regional Park will be on-site to collect fees, assist with traffic flow and answer questions. Please have cash, exact change is preferred and required during times of gate closure. The entry fee is $6 per vehicle, $4 per motorized water craft and $2 per non-motorized water craft.
For additional information on the area, please direct your questions to the Entry Station at (928) 501-1710 or Don Harris, Park Supervisor, at (602) 372-7460 ext. 201.
ATTENTION:
The lake level is currently sufficient to allow the launching of small watercraft from trailers. A primitive dirt launch ramp for boats is available at the end of the designated access route. The road to the lake is rough, but accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles with sufficient ground clearance. Vehicles with low ground clearance may encounter difficulties or damage, and are not recommended. All vehicles must remain on the designated, marked route. No off-road travel is allowed. NOTE: All vehicles must exit the area via the entrance gate by 5:00 p.m.
As always, please remove all trash and fishing line upon your departure.
Updated: May 17, 2011 |
Maricopa County ’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Bureau of Reclamation and multiple partnering agencies are very concerned about the illegal dumping, shooting and off-highway vehicle use at the Lake Pleasant Regional Park Agua Fria Conservation Area which is located south of Table Mesa Road. During a recent clean-up, 32 tons of trash were removed from the area and the dumping continues to be a problem. Illegal shooting is occurring creating an unsafe environment. Irresponsible off-highway vehicles are causing damage to the desert and riparian areas in and near the park.
All of this is very concerning to the agencies who manage the public lands in the area. In 1995, multiple natural resource agencies, along with extensive input from the public, identified this section of the park as a conservation area in the Lake Pleasant Regional Park Master Plan. Recently, these agencies have been meeting to determine the best short and long-term actions for the area. In order to ensure public safety and to protect the conservation area, the agencies have agreed that it is necessary to enforce the restriction on motorized vehicle use in the conservation area. Effective July 1, 2007, in accordance with the Park Rule R-107 and 1995 Park Master Plan, the restriction on motorized vehicle use at th e Agua Fria Conservation Area entrance will be enforced . Park visitors may continue to fish, hike, bike and picnic in the conservation area. All supplies will need to be carried into the site without the use of motorized vehicles.
At this time, the agencies would like to encourage individuals who witness any illegal activity in the area to contact the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at (602) 876-1011. To provide feedback, please e-mail your general comments or complete the Angler Survey and foward it back.
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Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation staff developed a plan to allow for motorized vehicle access in the conservation area during the spring fishing months. Please refer to box above for additional information.
NOTE: This video was filmed in the Agua Fria Conservation Area at Lake Pleasant on March 3, 2010. Please note that recent rains and/or run off from melted snow in the high country may have changed current water levels and the condition of the area since the video was originally shot. |
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Agua Fria Conservation Area Menu
Updates:
3/31/10 - Bureau of Reclamation Issues Finding of No Significant Impact / Memo - Public Notice
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2/15/10 - Reclamation Issues An Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Lake Pleasant Regional Park (LPRP), Agua Fria Conservation Area (AFCA) Proposed Management Plan, Maricopa and Yavapai Counties, Arizona.
1) Memo - Public Notice
2) News Release
3) Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
4) Environmental Assessment - (JAN. 2010):
(a) Main Document
(b) Appendices
5) Proposed Management Plan - JAN. 2010.
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1/20/10 -
Parks is working on a plan to accommodate anglers for the spring season. If feasible, the area would be opened to the public on a few select weekends to allow anglers to fish in the conservation area. Dates and times will be posted as soon as confirmed.
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| 12/11/09 - An Environmental Assessment is currently underway for the Agua Fria Conservation Area by the Bureau of Reclamation. The Parks Department anticipates the review will be completed by late March 2010. In the interim, the Technical Committee has been moving forward on the conceptual plan and will be ready to begin construction if and when the site receives clearance from the Bureau. |
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