On January 1, 2007 the Apache Lake was 50 feet below full pool. It was partially drained to allow maintenance on Horse Mesa dam. It offered an extremely rare opportunity to see the way the Salt River was before Horse Mesa dam was built. The views got more dramatic the closer you got to Rosevelt Dam. The natural flow of the Salt River was restored below Rosevelt dam for around 2 miles. Amazingly, if you looked closely, the old road was visible below the full pool water line. Check out the photos for a rare look at how the Salt River was over 90 years ago.
Location: 33.556313, -111.248787
The first view of Apache Lake showed a 50' high bath tub ring
Buoy Marker
Location: 33.667847, -111.167778
These buoys mark the furthest a boat can go toward Roosevelt Dam. Most are on dry land now!
Looking West
Location: 33.573917, -111.229111
Another view toward Horse mesa dam showing the reduced water level
Meandering Salt River
Location: 33.642651, -111.196007
Looking toward Rosevelt Dam the river in meandering on its original pre-dam course
More old road
Location: 33.659309, -111.173805
Northeast View
Location: 33.579269, -111.227036
Looking toward Rosevelt Dam
Old Road
Location: 33.652645, -111.186195
View the old road in the lower middle of the picture. There us a rock wall that is visible from the old road.
Old Road Close-up
Location: 33.652607, -111.186234
Here the old road is more obvious.
p1566
Location: 33.639954, -111.196663
p1567
Location: 33.642635, -111.195976
p1568
Location: 33.647346, -111.192520
p1569
Location: 33.650555, -111.188225
p1570
Location: 33.658344, -111.175957
p1571.72
Location: 33.667816, -111.167755
p1574
Location: 33.668739, -111.164627
p1575.6
Location: 33.668781, -111.163635
p1577.8
Location: 33.659309, -111.173790
p1579.80
Location: 33.652603, -111.186226
Roosevelt Dam
Location: 33.668819, -111.163658
Another view of the dam
Roosevelt Dam
Location: 33.668293, -111.167099
Roosevelt Dam
Location: 33.667881, -111.167778
Note the sliver of blue arch above the dam - the new bridge!
Toward Horse mesa Dam
Location: 33.569260, -111.233421
Looking back toward Horse Mesa dam
Upstream
Location: 33.650585, -111.188217
Upstream (again)
Location: 33.658447, -111.176041
This is a nice view of the way the Salt River used to look
Upstream View
Location: 33.647366, -111.192482
Looking upstream. The water is barely running. Having jet skied here in the past, I'm amazed at how deep the water usually is here.
Water Leak?
Location: 33.668781, -111.163658
Water is spilling out of the dam. Is this part of the spillway?
West View
Location: 33.579098, -111.227211
Where is the River?
Location: 33.639992, -111.196678
The river channel looks dry here!
Media Gallery
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