Town Lake remains closed due to flood water-related water quality

Nov. 6, 2026

Tempe Town Lake will remain closed a while longer due to water quality issues stemming from record water flows coming from two different river systems as well as the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt.

Salt River Project (SRP) said the flood is the biggest on the Salt and Verde rivers since 1993, before Tempe Town Lake was built. Recent inflows are the highest on record on the Salt and Verde watershed, about eight times greater than average. The water has downed full-sized trees, sent abandoned boats over the dam, and eroded several feet of sand from Town Lake's Boat Beach.

This level of flooding also brings with it water quality issues, including e-coli. Town Lake will be closed to boating as well as fishing until further notice.

Shore activities like walking and biking are unaffected.

People and dogs should stay out of the water. No rowing, pedal boats, paddleboards or any other kind of watersport should take place on Town Lake until the lake reopens. Boat rentals are also closed.

"Monthly water quality averages at Tempe Town Lake typically pass surface water standards with flying colors. Runoff like this, especially record runoffs from two rivers, brings with it everything from upstream. It will take time for that water to pass and the bacteria level to reduce below the event threshold." said Dr. Rick Amalfi of Aquatic Consulting.

Unfortunately, the Collegiate National Triathlon Championships scheduled to take place on Sunday at Tempe Town Lake will move forward as a duathlon.

Anyone with questions may contact Tempe 311 at 480-350-4311.