Tempe Town Lake Closed to On-Water Recreation
The City of Tempe has paused paddle boating, kayaking, rowing and sailing at the lake while water releases from regional reservoirs remain elevated.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Current Conditions
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The City of Tempe has temporarily closed Tempe Town Lake to on-water recreation activities, including paddle boating, kayaking, rowing and sailing. The closure follows recent storms and increased water releases from several regional reservoirs managed by Salt River Project.
Why it matters
Higher water flow through the lake raises the potential for debris, prompting the city to pause on-water activities out of an abundance of caution. Residents and visitors who use the lake for recreation will need to wait until conditions are deemed safe.
The City of Tempe has announced the closure without releasing specific water flow or debris figures. Staff will continue monitoring conditions at the lake, and no reopening date has been given.
The players
City of Tempe
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, and its government manages Tempe Town Lake and its recreational facilities.
Salt River Project
Salt River Project is a public power and water utility serving the Phoenix metropolitan area, operating reservoirs and water delivery systems across central Arizona.
The details
On-water recreation at Tempe Town Lake is paused until further notice, while the parks surrounding the lake remain open and fishing is still permitted. The dam is operating as designed to allow water to flow through the lake, and Salt River Project is releasing water from several regional reservoirs.
Timeline
Following recent storms, reservoir releases increased and prompted the closure.
On-water recreation remains paused until further notice.
Seasonal Patterns
The lake's closure is a direct result of Salt River Project increasing releases from its regional reservoirs after recent storms, a pattern tied to how central Arizona's managed river system responds to heavy rain. The city's pause on boating and paddling reflects how reservoir operations shape conditions on the lake downstream.
Visitors planning to use Tempe Town Lake should expect boating, kayaking, rowing and sailing to be unavailable until staff announce the lake is safe. Fishing remains allowed, and the surrounding parks are open for other activities.
The takeaway
Check with the City of Tempe before heading to the lake, since on-water activities remain paused and reopening depends on ongoing staff assessments of water flow and debris.
Further reading
For more on how conditions are changing across the region, see Current Conditions for Tempe.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTAR.
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