Boating, kayaking and paddle boating at Tempe Town Lake will start up again in May.
Two weeks ago officials began re-filling the lake with water. The lake is full now and officials are now conducting final testing on the hydraulic steel dam (the largest in the nation) and making final improvements to the structure.
Officials will be raising and lowering the gates to conduct "water-bearing tests" to make sure the dam is working correctly, especially since the Monsoon is a few weeks away.
These tests will put water activities on hold for another two weeks, a city spokesperson said Wednesday in a media release. However, all things should be operational by May 14--Tempe Town Lake Day.
The walking, biking and running paths around the lake are open and have been throughout the project.
Officials will be formally dedicating the dam on March 14 with live music, art, boats and presentations from those who built the dam. The event is free and will happen from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
More: View Tempe Lake Day schedule of events
On Friday, April 29, the city will be adding over 1.2 million goldfish and minnows to the lake to eat the insects. The fish that were initially removed from the lake when it was drained in February have already been added back in.
Other fish species will be added "over the next few weeks."
People can fish at the lake now as long as they have a fishing license from Arizona Game & Fish.
IF YOU GO:
Tempe Town Lake Day
May 14, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
At the Lake
