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Tempe Town Lake Fishing Ban Widens as Record Flooding Raises E. coli Concerns
Tempe Town Lake is now closed to fishing in addition to all boating and on-water activities after record flooding pushed debris and bacteria, including E. coli, into the water. City officials say the lake will reopen once bacteria levels fall below the event threshold, while a national triathlon has been converted to a duathlon.
TEMPE â Tempe Town Lake is now off-limits to anglers as well as boaters, city officials announced Friday, after record flooding sent debris-laden water surging through the lake and raised concerns about E. coli and other bacteria.
The lake had been closed to all on-water activities since Sunday, when the Salt River Project began releasing water from several regional reservoirs. Those releases increased flows through the lake and heightened the risk of debris. Fishing had remained permitted during the initial closure, but the city has now extended the restriction to shore-based anglers as water quality has deteriorated.
The dam at Tempe Town Lake is functioning as designed, allowing water to pass through, but the combination of heavy flows and debris has elevated bacteria levels. City officials said the lake will remain closed until the water clears and bacteria counts drop below the event threshold.
âMonthly water quality averages at Tempe Town Lake typically pass surface water standards with flying colors,â Dr. Rick Amalfi of Aquatic Consulting said in a city release. âRunoff like this, especially record runoffs from two rivers, brings with it everything from upstream. It will take time for that water to pass and the bacteria level to reduce below the event threshold.â
The flooding has left visible scars on the lake and its surroundings. Full-sized trees have been pulled into the water, abandoned boats have been swept over the dam, and several feet of sand have eroded from Boat Beach. Several beavers and muskrats were washed downstream and required rescue at the lake.
Shore activities such as walking and biking remain unaffected, and the city is encouraging residents to continue using the surrounding paths while the water remains closed.
The closure has also disrupted a major sporting event. The Collegiate National Triathlon Championships, scheduled for Sunday at Tempe Town Lake, will proceed as a duathlon instead, according to the city.
Tempe Town Lake, a centerpiece of the cityâs downtown and a popular spot for recreation, has faced water-quality challenges before, but officials said the scale of this runoff event is unusual. The city did not provide a timeline for reopening, saying conditions will be reassessed as the floodwaters move through the system.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with the lake water and to keep pets away from the shoreline until the closure is lifted.