Woods Canyon Lake

Woods Canyon Lake is a small lake located in northern Arizona, about 30 mi (48 km) east of the city of Payson. It is one in a series of small, canyon-bound lakes located on the Mogollon Rim, collectively referred to as the Rim Lakes. It is among the more developed and accessible of the Rim Lakes. It is also the first reservoir on Chevelon Creek, upstream from Chevelon Canyon Lake.

Woods Canyon Lake
LocationCoconino County, Arizona, United States
Coordinates34°20′22″N 110°57′9″W
TypeReservoir
Primary inflowsRunoff
Primary outflowsWoods Canyon Creek
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area55 acres (220,000 m2)[1]
Average depth25 ft (7.6 m)[1]
Max. depth40 ft (12 m)[1]
Surface elevation7,505 ft (2,288 m)[2]


Woods Canyon Lake is small and moderately deep, having an average depth of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a surface area of 55 acres (220,000 m2). The long, narrow lake is formed by an earthen dam impounding the Chevelon Creek in Woods Canyon. It was created primarily for recreational purposes.

The lake is accessed via paved forest roads that are open most of the year, although access may be restricted due to snow during winter months from December to April.[1] From April though September the lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and tiger trout. There is a very small self-sustaining brown trout population that can also be found in the lake.[3]

The lake is well developed, having numerous maintained campsites, facilities for recreational vehicles, and access for boats on the lake.[4] The facilities are maintained by Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests division of the USDA Forest Service.

Fish species

Woods Canyon Lake is stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout and tiger trout. There is a very small self-sustaining brown trout population that can also be found in the lake. Illegally introduced green sunfish are abundant in the lake.[5] Fathead minnows, crayfish, and possibly golden shiners also reproduce in lake as well.[3]

References
  1. "Woods Canyon Lake" (PDF). Arizona Game and Fish Department. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  2. "Middle Little Colorado River Sub-Watershed" (PDF). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  3. https://www.fws.gov/southwest/federal_assistance/PDFs/Chapter%206b%20Middle%20Little%20Colorado%20River%20Sub-Watershed.pdf
  4. "Chevelon Canyon Lake". United States Forest Service. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  5. http://www.azgfd.gov



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