Willow Springs Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willow Springs Lake |
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 Willow Springs Lake
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Coconino County, Arizona, US |
| Coordinates | 34°18′12.78″N 110°52′14.1954″W / 34.3035500°N 110.870609833°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Runoff |
| Primary outflows | Willow Springs Canyon |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 158 acres (640,000 m2) |
| Average depth | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Surface elevation | 7,513 ft (2,290 m) |
Willow Springs Lake is a cool water lake located in northern Arizona. It sits high up on the Mogollon Rim, a large cliff that stretches across Arizona. The lake is about 23 mi (37 km) east of Payson. It is part of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. This lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun, especially fishing.
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About Willow Springs Lake
The Arizona Game and Fish Department created Willow Springs Lake in 1967. They wanted to offer more water activities for everyone to enjoy. The lake is not huge, but it is fairly deep. It has an average depth of 60 ft (18 m). The surface area of the lake is about 158 acres (640,000 m2).
This lake is very popular, especially because it is close to the city of Phoenix. People love to visit for its cooler temperatures, especially in the summer. The United States Forest Service helps take care of the lake and its facilities.
What You Can Do at the Lake
Willow Springs Lake is a great place for many activities. You can go boating, but there are rules for motors. Only electric motors or gas motors with 10 horsepower or less are allowed. This helps keep the lake peaceful and clean.
Fishing is a big draw here. From April to September, the lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and tiger trout. This means new fish are added often. You can also find other fish that live in the lake all the time. These include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, fathead minnows, green sunfish, and black crappie. If you visit in winter, you might even try ice fishing when the lake freezes over.
Lake Facilities and Access
The lake has good facilities for visitors. There are 26 campsites at Sinkhole Campground if you want to stay overnight. You will also find restrooms and picnic areas with covered shelters called ramadas. There are also special benches for boats. A paved boat ramp on the west side makes it easy to launch your boat.
You can reach Willow Springs Lake by a paved road called Forest Road 149. This road is usually open from April through November. During the winter months, from December to March, the lake often freezes. The roads can become impassable for vehicles. You can also get to the lake by a dirt road to Sardine Point. Or you can hike to the upper parts of the lake from SR 260.
How the Lake Gets Its Water
Willow Springs Lake does not have a river or stream constantly flowing into it. Instead, it gets its water mainly from melting snow each spring. This snowmelt is usually enough to keep the lake full. The Arizona Game and Fish Department owns the water rights to the lake. This means they control how the water is used.
Most of the time, no water is released from the lake downstream. But if there is a lot of snowmelt, the lake might overflow. When this happens, the extra water flows down Willow Springs Canyon. It then joins Woods Canyon to form Chevelon Creek. This creek eventually flows down to Chevelon Canyon Lake.
Fish Species in Willow Springs Lake
Willow Springs Lake is home to several types of fish. Many people come here specifically for fishing.
- Rainbow Trout: These are a very popular fish for anglers. They are stocked in the lake regularly from spring to early fall.
- Tiger Trout: These unique fish are also stocked in the lake during the warmer months.
- Largemouth Bass: These are a type of sport fish that reproduce naturally in the lake.
- Smallmouth Bass: Similar to largemouth bass, these fish also live and reproduce in the lake.
- Green Sunfish: These smaller fish are also found in the lake.
- Fathead Minnows: These small fish reproduce in the lake and serve as food for larger fish.
- Black Crappie: These fish have also been seen in the lake.
- Crayfish: These small creatures are abundant in the lake.
