Arizona authorities have indefinitely closed San Carlos Lake to the public following the complete eradication of its fish population due to severe environmental conditions.
The San Carlos recreation and wildlife department announced the closure on Friday, citing a combination of intense drought and regulatory dam water releases as the cause of the ecological disaster.
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"This resulted in a major fish kill affecting approximately 100% of the fish population," the department stated.
All public access, including swimming, fishing, and harvesting wildlife, is prohibited because the decomposition of fish carcasses creates immediate health hazards for humans.
"We ask all visitors to respect the closure and avoid the affected area for their safety," the department said.
The artificial reservoir spans 158 miles of shoreline within the San Carlos Apache tribal lands, about 125 miles from Phoenix.
It is formed by the Coolidge Dam along the Gila River and historically held state records for multiple fish species, including largemouth bass, flathead fish, and various trout varieties.
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Local community members expressed grief over the sudden destruction of the popular recreational destination. "This is so heartbreaking!"
one user commented on social media. "So sad.
Lots of memories on that lake," another added.
The department said it will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as they become available.
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The closure remains in effect while tribal and state authorities assess water quality and physical conditions at the site.
