TOWN LAKE WATER

It is through prudent management and wise use of available water resources
that a project like the Tempe Town Lake on the Rio Salado is possible.
Date of reading Lake Temperature (F) Lake pH level
August 18, 2008 86.2º F (1 meter deep) 9.0 (charts - temp, pH)
Averages Avg. Temperature (F) - 6 years Average pH level - 9 years
Weekend of August 29, 2008
Weekend of September 5, 2008
Weekend of September 12, 2008		 86.0° F (1 meter deep)
 86.3° F (1 meter deep)
 83.9° F (1 meter deep)		 8.79
8.84
8.77

 87.4° F (1 meter deep)
 

Water Quality HistoryTown Lake at night

Water Quality History 2002   2000 Water Quality History 2002   2002 Water Quality History 2002   2004 Water Quality History 2002  2006 Water Quality History 2002  2008

 
Water Quality History 2002   2001 Water Quality History 2003   2003 Water Quality History 2002   2005

Water Quality History 2002  2007

updated 9/15/08

Water Quantity
Tempe began filling the 220 surface-acre lake on June 2, 1999, and declared it officially full on July 14, 1999. The City purchased water for the initial fill from the Central Arizona Project, which delivers water statewide from the surplus in the Colorado River. This water was delivered through the Salt oldmillbrdg.jpg (51115 bytes)River Project canal system. Using technology, the City of Tempe has minimized the amount of water lost to seepage. A flood levee forms an impenetrable wall around the sides of the lake. This levee was covered with a structural and aesthetically attractive lake edge. Underground, a clay wall connects to bedrock underground at the west end. On the east end, a seepage recovery system recovers almost 100 percent of the water that seeps into the ground. Water is recaptured by 10 wells around the eastern portion of the lake and pumped back into the lake. Eight bladders form two inflatable dams that contain the water on the east and west ends of the lake and can be deflated or inflated in 45 minutes to release overflow water or catch flood tail water. Water released during storms is replaced with the tail waters from water released from the lakes upstream. Water from evaporative losses will be be replaced primarily with Central Arizona Project water and recharge water exchanges.
 
Using Water Efficiently
The City of Tempe relies on renewable and sustainable water supplies, with a diverse mix of water resources available to meet the needs of our water service area. This means that Tempe does not use groundwater in excess of what is naturally or artificially recharged back into the aquifers, preserving that water for years when droughts do occur and there is a shortage of surface water supplies. Tempe is committed to continuing this strategy in keeping with the goals of the Groundwater Management Act passed by the Arizona Legislature in 1980. For more information go to using Town Lake water efficiently.

TOWN LAKE STATUS: Current weather conditions (wind, temperature, humidity, dew point, and water temperature @ 12" deep). The water temperature according to this weather station is 83º F on September 15, 2008, 9:34 AM.

Tempe Town Lake has been hailed as a model to forward thinking, progressive planning and efficient water management.