Picacho Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Picacho Reservoir |
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 Picacho Reservoir
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Pinal County, Arizona, United States |
| Coordinates | 32°50′52″N 111°29′1″W / 32.84778°N 111.48361°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| Average depth | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,500 ft (460 m) |
Picacho Reservoir is a special lake located about 11 miles (18 km) south of Coolidge in central Arizona. It's not a natural lake but a reservoir, which means it's a large artificial lake built to store water. This reservoir was created in the 1920s.
Its main job was to hold water and control how much water flowed into the Florence-Casa Grande and Casa Grande Canals. These canals help bring water to farms and communities. When it was first built, Picacho Reservoir could hold a lot of water – about 24,500 acre-feet (30,200,000 m3). It also covered a large area, more than 2 square miles (5.2 km2).
Over many years, dirt and mud (called silt) have built up in the reservoir. Plants like cattails and rushes have also grown a lot. Because of this, much of the reservoir is now a shallow marsh. The amount of water in the reservoir changes a lot. Sometimes, if there isn't much rain, the lake can even dry up completely!
Amazing Aquatic Animals
Picacho Reservoir is home to many different kinds of fish and other water animals. Even though the water levels can change, these creatures find ways to live and thrive here.
Fish Species You Might Find
Here are some of the fish that live in Picacho Reservoir:
- Largemouth Bass: These are popular sport fish known for their big mouths and strong fighting spirit.
- Crappie: A type of panfish, crappie are often caught for food and are fun to fish for.
- Sunfish: This group includes several colorful fish, like bluegill, that are common in lakes and ponds.
- Channel Catfish: Easy to recognize by their long whiskers, these fish can grow quite large.
- Tilapia: These fish are often farmed for food and can adapt to different water conditions.
- Carp: A hardy fish that can live in many environments, carp are known for their size.
Other Water Dwellers
- Bullfrogs: You might hear the deep croaking sound of bullfrogs around the reservoir. These large frogs are common in marshy areas.
