Roosevelt Dam

Our Photo Club took a trip out to Roosevelt Dam which is about an hours drive southeast of Gold Canyon.  It is at one end of the Apache Trail which has to be one of the most beautiful drives in the area.  Unfortunately due to heavy rains and flooding this past summer part of the road has been washed away and what is left is even rougher than the washboard excuse for a road that we went down 5 years ago.  Approaching the Dam from Globe is all on paved roads so no problem getting there.  

Construction on the Dam started in around 1895 and was originally of stone and mortar construction. It has been upgraded over the years and it is now concrete.  It dams up the Salt River and creates Roosevelt Lake which is quite large and a water sports attraction during the summer months.  The salt river continues and 2 more lakes are created downstream thanks to 2 more dams.  All generate much needed hydro electric power for the area in addition to recreational opportunities for locals and tourists.  

The real appeal for us wasn't so much taking pictures of the dam but the bridge that spans the Salt river at the entrance of the dam. 

On the other side of the bridge is Roosevelt Lake.
Big bodies of water like this are hard to come by in the desert. 

My wide angle lens can create a lot of distortion in my shots.
In this case I like it.

The Roosevelt Dam holding back the Salt river.

Well worn graffiti

A major fire went through here last summer.
It burnt so fast a lot of the plants survived almost unscathed.
With all the high nitrogen ash on the ground the regrowth is
well under way with the hills a very vibrant green

Marina on Roosevelt Lake

Our next stop on our days outing was Tonto National Monument which was just down the road few miles.  

Tune in a little later for those pictures.