“I thought the river shuts down in the fall” is something we often hear in our shop around this time of year. While the river tubing operations and their shuttle busses shut down in the fall as the weather in Mesa, Arizona finally starts to break, those in the know flock to the river. Between school back in session and the lower temperatures, the river changes. The months of raging parties from sunrise to well after sunset end and the river returns to a more natural state - a place of serenity and peace with abundant wildlife and views.
Fall Paddling on Arizona's Lower Salt River (September & October)
In the past few years, tubing operations have switched from every day to weekends only in September and shut down entirely in October. For many paddling enthusiasts, this is the best time of the year to start getting out on the river. When high temperatures finally fall below 100°F and there’s less sunlight, it’s easier to paddle without getting overheated and you’re less likely to end up with a nasty sunburn. September is the perfect time of year to go for sunset paddles after work. I like bringing a happy hour drink and paddling from Goldfield Recreation Area to Granite Reef Recreation Area. If you time it just right, you’ll find yourself pulling up at Granite Reef to the chirps of river otters and one of the best sunset views in the East Valley. As the days get shorter in October and the sun comes up later, I love a mid-morning weekend paddle. I recommend bringing coffee and breakfast along with you. Have a lazy paddle while listening to the song of Northern Cardinals and Marsh Wrens. In November, the weather gets chilly and while we’re not done paddling the river (spoiler: we’re never done paddling the river), there are a few more things to take into consideration.
Managing Flow Rates on the Lower Salt River
Every year the Salt River Project (SRP) slows the flow of water from Stewart Mountain Dam which separates Lake Saguaro from the Lower Salt River in late fall. The majority of The Valley’s water comes from the Salt River and that supply is managed, in part, by SRP via the dams along the river that create our favorite local lakes like Saguaro and Canyon. The exact date when SRP slows the flow from Stewart Mountain Dam and when they turn it back on is never for sure. Shut down is often in mid-November and the tap often turns back on in the spring around April. The spring date is dependent on how much snowfall occurs in the White Mountains to the East of Phoenix where the headwaters of the Salt River is. In fact, when there’s been a particularly snowy winter, SRP has turned the tap on temporarily for a few weeks in February or March due to unexpected snow melt or in preparation for the coming water when the temperatures warm up in the mountains.
Never fear though, there’s another source of water that feeds into the Lower Salt River! Right at Phon D. Sutton Recreation Area, the Verde River converges with the Salt River. Often SRP increases the flow from Bartlett Dam on the Verde River when they decrease the flow from Stewart Mountain Dam on the Salt River. It’s a delicate balance to ensure The Valley has the right supply of water while managing the level of the lakes and reservoirs due to snow and rainfall.
What does this mean for you though? At a certain point the water between Water Users Recreation Site and Phon D. Sutton will be too low to paddle. You can figure out when that time will come by checking the Stewart Mountain Dam flow rates here. Paddling this section of the river becomes difficult when the flow rate drops below 600 cf/s and I don’t recommend it at all when that number drops below 400 cf/s. However, you can still paddle from Phon D. Sutton to Granite Reef, as the flow from Bartlett Dam on the Verde River increases. You can always check the Bartlett Dam flow rates here.
With lower water levels, the risk of hitting rocks and debris rises, especially in shallow areas. Using a flexible, short fin like our flexible fin is essential for avoiding fin damage while paddling the river. We designed it specifically for shallow river paddling and include them out with all of our rental boards to ensure a smooth and safe ride.
November and Beyond: Paddling in Cooler Weather
Once November rolls around, I recommend looking at the flow rate before every trip to make sure you have a good time! If the water is high enough, I love waiting until around noon and paddling from Water Users down to Phon D Sutton. It’s the perfect way to soak up some sunshine during the warmest part of the day and shockingly quiet for being only fifteen minutes outside of the city. When the water level becomes too low, of course, you have to do Phon D. Sutton to Granite Reef. If you’re only going to point to point, this can be a fairly short paddle. To add a little something extra to the trip, I recommend parking at Granite Reef and then paddling as far upriver as you can then floating back down to your car. No shuttle is required and it’s a great way to get some exercise and stay warm.
Cooler temperatures don’t mean staying off the water. In fact, fall and winter are some of my favorite times to float the Salt River. With the absence of tubers and fewer people escaping the heat, the river becomes tranquil, revealing more wildlife to those who venture out. There’s nothing quite like paddling the river on a weekend morning with breakfast and coffee, surrounded by birds, river otters, and wild horses—with few humans in sight.
The Takeaway:
The Lower Salt River is fed by two rivers and despite changing flow rates from the dams on those rivers, you can paddle parts of the Lower Salt River all year.
Always check the flow rate from the dams to ensure a fun float! Paddling from Water Users to Phon D. isn’t recommended when the flow rate is below 400cf/s. You can always paddle from Phon D. to Granite Reef.
Recommended Trips by Month:
September: Sunset after work paddle from Goldfield to Granite Reef. Take a drink for happy hour.
October: Mid-morning weekend paddle from Water Users to Phon D. Pack breakfast and coffee in a thermos.
November: Mid-day weekend paddle Water Users to Phon D. Bring snacks and stop for early dinner somewhere with a patio on the way home.
December-February: Paddle upriver from Granite Reef and turn around when you get tired. You’ll want some electrolytes for that workout.
Comments