Each time I’ve left thrilled by the experience and mesmerized by the views. Clouds, granite dells (boulders) and the water’s reflection create a striking image at Watson Lake near Prescott, AZįast forward to today: I’ve paddled my kayak (and hiked) around Watson Lake several times. I immediately added it to my Arizona Bucket List and made plans to visit the lake as soon as I could. I first learned about Watson Lake when one of my favorite Arizona photographers shared a few pics from his camera roll on social media. “Watson Lake is the best small lake for paddling a kayak or paddleboard in the United States.” Paul Fiarkoski, Author Arizona Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal His response made me chuckle: “There’s a picture of it on the Bing search engine today.” I told him yes and asked him how he heard about it. “Have you ever heard of Watson Lake?” he wanted to know. Prescott Journal Miner, April 7th-17th, 1915.Watson Lake: Best small lake for paddling in the United States Want the inside scoop on more amazing places like this? Grab a copy of Arizona Bucket List Adventure G u ide.Īs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.Ī couple of years after I moved to Arizona in 2012, I received a text message from my brother in Kansas. The company that built the dam went out of business.įor more information on Prescott Western Heritage Foundation, visit Ultimately, the irrigation scheme proved unsuccessful as the unlined canals consumed too much of the water. Dozens would drive by daily to note the growing sheet of water. Wagon trails became submerged and buildings required removal. Ashurst was the keynote speaker, with several other notable people orating as well.Īfter the speeches, “The tenderest of barbecued Yavapai range steak was furnished free to all visitors.”Īlthough the April 8 day of celebration was to include the closing of the 4-ton steel gates of the dam, that actually did not happen until April 14.Īs the lake filled, weekly progress was reported. It towered at a height of nearly 100 feet from the bed of the creek. “It was a faultless Yavapai spring day and the picturesque rocks surrounding the dam were dotted with nearly all the most prominent citizens of the mile-high county, their figures relieved by stunningly costumed ladies and romping progeny, all bespeaking a lively, dignified interest in the proceedings,” the paper reported.Ī platform was built on the top of the immense dam for the band and the speakers. A special train was scheduled to run the 4 miles and back at a cost of 45 cents (about $18 today). There were parking facilities for 100 automobiles within easy walking distance of the ceremonies. The hope was to build a canal system in Lonesome and Chino valleys and use Watson Lake as the source to irrigate thousands of acres of grain crops.Ī relatively large crowd of 1,200 people came to the celebration. Watson Lake was named for the president of the Hassayampa Alfalfa Company of Indiana. Acting Mayor AJ Head issued a proclamation declaring a general holiday from 1 to 5 p.m. There were notable speakers, free barbecue, Prescott’s local band and a special train to get to the celebration. The anticipation of a new lake close to the city brought the biggest celebration Prescott saw in many years. Watson is a man-made lake created in April 1915 with the completion of the Granite Creek dam. Nestled along the Granite Dells, Watson Lake makes for one of the most picturesque scenes in Prescott. By Drew Desmond for the Prescott Western Heritage Foundation, Inc.
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