Watson Lake

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Jul 01 2002 1:26 pm

I'm planning on heading up to Watson lake in prescott next weekend for a day of kayaking. Anyone know if it's open?

Thanks in advance.

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » Jul 01 2002 3:32 pm

I was up in Prescott last week and just about everything is closed around there. I don't know specifically about Watson Lake but there was no people on the lake when we flew over. It looked deserted as well as Lynx Lake. There is a big burned patch sort of on the SE quadrant of Prescott, so there is a lot of fire paranoia around there right now. The forest was almost gray it was so dry.

Double check, I hope Watson is open for you. The Granite Dells Look awesome.

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Jul 01 2002 3:41 pm

I just called the prescott national forest and they said it's still open.
Not sure how accurate that information is, since Watson lake isn't national forest land.
I seen that Linx lake is open, but couldn't find anything on Watson. I guess I'll go up and see... If Watson is closed I'll just go to Linx.

Paintninaz · Post by **Paintninaz** » Jul 01 2002 4:17 pm

You may want to call and double check on Lynx before you count on it as a backup, word is it's closed too

...from the Prescott National Forest website:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2002

Continued Violations Cause Lynx Lake Closure

PRESCOTT Ariz.—Prescott National Forest officials are closing the only recreation facility that had remained open during the Forest closure. The Lynx Lake Day Use area will close at 9:00 pm today and will remain closed until the Forest Closure is recinded.

“I am extremely disappointed”, said Bradshaw District Ranger, Ernie Del Rio. “We hoped that people using the area would appreciate having a place to go and comply with the restrictions on smoking and access outside of the day use area, but they haven’t”. Forest Service patrol personnel continue to find people smoking and going outside of the open area. “It’s too bad that a few people can spoil things for everyone, but we just can not afford the risk of another fire being caused by human carelessness” Del Rio said.

A Forest Closure Order excepting Lynx Lake was effective on May22 due to the extreme fire danger. Closing Lynx Lake makes the entire Prescott National Forest off limits to everyone except residents accessing their private land. Violators of the forest closure order are subject to a maximum sentence of 6 months in jail and a $5000 fine.

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CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Jul 01 2002 4:20 pm

I read yesterday that Watson Lake was 13 ft lower than average! Could that possibly be right?! It's a fun place to boulder also. Good luck and let us know.

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Jul 09 2002 3:41 pm

I went to Watson lake Friday. The water is 14 feet down from optimal! The water is very green and full of algae, but it's still a beautiful lake. The main part of the lake popular with sailboats is a swamp, but in a kayak it was a pretty fun day.

For you campers jonsing to camp, the campground is open too!

One of the reasons I went up there was to get some pictures. Of course I didn't think of taking any pictures until I was half way home. Does anyone have any good shots of watson lake they could easily share with me?

Thanks

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jul 09 2002 3:44 pm

There's a couple at

http://hikearizona.com/photocode.php?ID=186&TNI=143

http://hikearizona.com/photocode.php?ID=185&TNI=143

Rodney · Post by **Rodney** » Jul 10 2002 3:56 am

teva wrote:There's a couple at

http://hikearizona.com/photocode.php?ID=186&TNI=143

http://hikearizona.com/photocode.php?ID=185&TNI=143

Hey...those are some very nice pics!

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Jul 10 2002 7:40 am

For what ever reason I can't get to those. When I try, I get a members only screen. When I log in again, it keeps bringing me back to the members only screen????

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Jul 10 2002 7:45 am

Nevermind, I tried opening it with explorer and it worked. My netscape doesn't like the website or vise versa.

Thanks

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jul 10 2002 1:30 pm

If you really loved your computer you'd get Netscape off it

Cakewalk · Post by **Cakewalk** » Jul 10 2002 4:01 pm

Agreed.... ( throws up a high 5 )

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Jul 10 2002 4:42 pm

I'd agree, too. What version of Netscape do you have, anyway? I have no problems like this with 6.2.

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Jul 11 2002 6:50 am

It's my work computer and netscape is the company standard...

At home I have no problems.

montezumawell · Post by **montezumawell** » Jul 11 2002 10:31 am

You best bet on finding out reliable information about Watson Lake is to call the City of Prescott. They own and manage the lake and its neighboring water bodies. Prescott area voters passed a bond issue a couple of years ago to pay for thepurchase of the lakes and associated water rights. There are all kinds of "master plan" ideas about how to develop them for recreation. Anyway, call Prescott public works for the latest info on them.

J&S in Gold Beach Oregon.

Watson Lake

Watson Lake

Lynx lake closed

Prescott Lakes