Bartlett Boat Ramp: Is It Open For Business?

The breathtaking scenery of Bartlett Lake in the Tonto National Forest offers a range of outdoor recreational activities, including boating and shoreline camping. However, access to the lake has been an issue for boaters due to fluctuating water levels. The Jojoba and Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramps, which provide entry to the lake, have experienced closures in the past when water levels dropped significantly. While the ramps are typically closed for safety reasons when they are out of the water, boaters are advised to exercise caution even when the ramps are open, as shorelines can be soft and unstable after periods of low water.

The Jojoba boat ramp is open, but Yellow Cliffs remains closed

Boating enthusiasts will be happy to hear that the Jojoba boat ramp at Bartlett Lake is open. However, it's important to note that the Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramp remains closed.

The Jojoba boat ramp provides access to the breathtaking scenery of Bartlett Lake and the surrounding mountains. It offers a large open-space parking lot where you can unload your lake day equipment, such as canopies and coolers. This popular site usually has a four-lane boat ramp. However, when water levels drop significantly, it becomes a two-lane ramp, and the Free Floating Dock may close.

The closure of the Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramp is due to low water levels in Bartlett Lake. According to Cave Creek District Ranger, Colleen Madrid, the ramps are out of the water and unsafe for use. The water levels are controlled by the Salt River Project (SRP), and they were lowered to perform maintenance on the dam. It is important to exercise caution when launching boats from the shoreline, as recently submerged areas may be soft and unstable.

While the Jojoba boat ramp is open, Bill Andres from the Arizona Game and Fish Department cautions that changing conditions on the lake may lead to closures later in the summer. Therefore, it is advisable to check for updates before planning a trip to Bartlett Lake.

In summary, while the Jojoba boat ramp is currently accessible, allowing visitors to enjoy the lake and its surrounding natural beauty, the Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramp is temporarily closed due to low water levels. Boaters are advised to be cautious and stay informed about potential changes in ramp accessibility.

Low water levels caused the Bartlett Lake boat ramp to close

In 2016, the Jojoba and Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramps at Bartlett Lake were closed due to low lake levels. The Arizona Game and Fish Department announced that the water levels had risen enough to reopen at least one of the ramps, the Jojoba boat ramp. However, the Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramp remained closed at that time.

When water levels are low, shoreline areas that were previously underwater can become soft and unstable. This poses a risk for boats and vehicles launching from the shore, as they may get stuck in the mud or end up in the lake. As a result, low water levels can lead to boat ramp closures to ensure the safety of visitors.

It is important to monitor water levels and adjust boat ramp access accordingly to prevent accidents and ensure a safe recreational experience for all visitors to Bartlett Lake. While closures may cause inconvenience, they are necessary to prioritise the safety of boaters and visitors to the lake.

The water levels at Bartlett Lake were at 50% capacity when the ramps were closed

The Jojoba and Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramps at Bartlett Lake were closed in 2016 due to low lake levels. At the time, the lake was at 50% capacity, and the ramps were deemed unsafe for use. The water levels had dropped significantly, causing the four-lane ramp to become a two-lane ramp, and the Free Floating Dock was also forced to close. The closure was necessary to ensure the safety of boaters, as launching from the shoreline could be dangerous due to soft and potentially unstable ground.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department worked to address the issue, and the Jojoba boat ramp was reopened shortly after the initial closure. Bill Andres from the department cautioned that changing conditions on the lake might result in future closures. The Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramp remained closed for a more extended period, with no specific timeline provided for its reopening.

While the boat ramps were closed, alternative options for boating access were limited. The north side of Jojoba remained open for shoreline boat launching, but boaters were advised to exercise extreme caution due to the potential hazards of recently submerged shorelines. The soft and unstable ground posed a risk of vehicles becoming stuck in the mud or ending up in the lake.

The water levels at Bartlett Lake are controlled by the Salt River Project (SRP). In 2009, SRP lowered the water levels to perform maintenance on the dam, and the boat ramps were closed as a result. It is important to monitor the water levels and adjust the ramp accessibility accordingly to ensure the safety of visitors to the lake.

The boat ramps are unsafe when out of the water, according to a ranger

The Bartlett Lake boat ramp in Arizona has been subject to closures in the past due to low water levels. In 2009, the paved boat ramps providing access to the lake were closed off by Tonto National Forest officials because of dropping water levels. At the time, the ramps were out of the water and deemed unsafe for use by Cave Creek District Ranger Colleen Madrid.

Madrid warned that the ramps would have to remain closed until the water level at Bartlett Lake rose again. While shoreline boat launching was possible in some places, like the north side of Jojoba, Madrid advised boaters to be cautious as shorelines that were previously underwater could be soft and unstable. She stated, "We don't want to see anyone's vehicle stuck in the mud or end up in the lake."

In 2016, a similar situation arose where the Jojoba and Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramps at Bartlett Lake were closed due to low lake levels. The Arizona Game and Fish Department announced that the water levels had risen sufficiently to reopen at least one of the ramps, specifically the Jojoba boat ramp. However, Bill Andres from the Game and Fish department cautioned that "as conditions change on the lake, that may not be the case all summer long."

The Bartlett Lake boat ramp closures highlight the importance of prioritizing safety when it comes to recreational activities. The rangers' assessments of the ramps being unsafe when out of the water underscore the necessity of adhering to water level safety protocols. It is crucial for boaters to stay informed about the latest updates on ramp closures and reopenings, as well as to exercise caution when launching boats from shoreline areas to avoid potential hazards.

The water levels are controlled by SRP (Salt River Project)

The breathtaking scenery of Bartlett Lake in the Tonto National Forest offers a range of outdoor recreational activities, including boating and shoreline camping. The lake is fed by the Verde River, known for its pristine "sweet waters".

However, the water levels at Bartlett Lake are controlled by SRP (Salt River Project). In 2009, the SRP lowered the water levels to perform maintenance on the dam, prompting the closure of the paved boat ramps due to safety concerns. While the facilities at Bartlett Lake are managed by the Forest Service, the water levels are under the purview of the SRP.

The SRP's decision to lower the water levels impacted boating access, reducing the four-lane ramp to two lanes and occasionally forcing the closure of the Free Floating Dock. These changes can cause delays in boat access during summer weekends, affecting outdoor enthusiasts who frequent the lake for boating, jet skiing, and other water-based activities.

The water levels at Bartlett Lake play a critical role in determining the accessibility and functionality of the boat ramps. When water levels drop significantly, it poses safety hazards, and the boat ramps may need to be closed until the water levels rise again. In such cases, alternative boat launch sites, such as the primitive boat launch at Bartlett Flat, may be considered, but caution is advised due to potentially soft and unstable shorelines.

The management of water levels by the SRP is a critical aspect of maintaining the safety and functionality of Bartlett Lake's boat ramps and ensuring that outdoor enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the lake's recreational offerings.

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