Painted Rock Reservoir, Arizona

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The Painted Rock Reservoir is located in Arizona, its second largest lake.

[edit] History

Painted Rock Dam is located northwest of Gila Bend and was constructed in 1959 to control flood waters that periodically damage downstream areas. It has a gross capacity of 2.5 million acre feet (3.1 km³) of storage, but is designed to remain empty most of the time. However, the capacity is estimated to lose about 200,000 acre-ft due to sediments pouring into the reservoir over 50 years. The reservoir reached full capacity during the 1993 flood events and extensive damage occurred downstream as a result of the high volume of spillwater. As much as 500,000 acre-ft was lost in one year due to these floods.

During less severe flooding, the dam retains water and releases it relatively slowly until the reservoir is empty. The water is released at a slow rate to minimize downstream damage and still empty the reservoir as quickly as possible (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1977). There is no flow below Painted Rock Dam except during flood events.

[edit] Painted Rock Reservoir Health Hazards

The Painted Rock Reservoir is closed to the public because it is one of the most toxic in the country with pesticide contamination. There's no fishing, swimming or boating allowed on the lake, second in size and area only to Roosevelt Lake. Its water will eventually disappear under the scorching summer sun, leaving behind a poisonous legacy.