Alamo Lake

Alamo Lake is formed by the Alamo Dam that's part of the Alamo Lake State Park. The lake impounds runoff from the Bill Williams River, an intermittent tributary of the Colorado River. The dam was constructed in 1968 by the Army Corps of Engineers, primarily for flood control purposes. While the Bill Williams River is often dry, heavy seasonal rains maintain the lake's depth. Fluctuating water levels are common in the reservoir and increases of water level up to 7 vertical feet in twenty-four hours is possible. During extreme flood events the reservoir can fill rapidly; the lake has been recorded to rise 11 feet (3.4 m) in a single night due to extreme flooding.

Alamo Lake is located within the Alamo Lake State Park which offers lake-goers ample recreational opportunities. The Alamo Lake Visitor Center is open from 8 am – 4:30 pm daily. Inside the visitor center is the Park Store which carries fishing and camping items like fishing licenses, boating supplies, and firewood, along with other items.

The park also offers camping sites for Rv's, tents, and long term camping. There are also two Ramadas available for rent to group campers. Each Ramada provides a group grill and facilities. Tent camping sites offer picnic areas and fire pits. For RV camping, there are 19 full hook-up sites with 50 amp electric, water and sewer located in the Main Campground. Additional sites have 30/50 amp electric and water at each site. Campgound B has 27 electric sites. The Ramada Area has 12 electric sites. Cholla Campground area has 41 electric sites (30 amp). All RV sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Showers, restrooms, and picnic tables are available at the camp sites.

Swimming, boating, and fishing are also enjoyed at the lake. The park offers two paved boat ramps. There are no beaches at the lake, but swimming is a major lake activity. Fishing can be enjoyed from a boat or the shore. Some say that Alamo lake offers the best bass fishing in Arizona.

Nature enthusiasts will find that the lake and park provide great scenic and wildlife views. The most common animal spotted in the park include wild burros, coyote, eagles, pelicans, and great blue herons.

Unusually high flows during the 1970s and 1980s increased the depth and size of the reservoir to unexpected levels, giving birth to recreational and fishing possibilities. Since then, the lake has been stocked with numerous fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish and tilapia. The lake is host to fishing tournaments and has been the location of at least one Arizona state fishing record.

The lake is known for it's bass fishing and has even been called the best place to fish for bass in Arizona. Fishing can be done from boat or the shore. There are 2 paved boat ramps located within the Alamo Lake State Park.

Info courtesy of Arizona Game and Fish Department and Arizona State Parks