Coolidge Dam- 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

Apart from the unique architecture of the dam, it is also used for recreation purposes such as fishing and boating, and off-road bicycling.

San Carlos Lake is stocked periodically, and when the winter has experienced average or above-average precipitation, it is one of the largest lakes in Arizona. The San Carlos Apache Tribe Recreation & Wildlife Dept. stocks several species of fish using various methods to create a good fishing environment. Several species of self-sustaining fishes live in the dam- sunfish (Lepomis sp.), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), flathead catfish (Pylodictis Olivares).

Other fish are stocked from cold-water fisheries including brown trout and rainbow trout. Jet-skiing, water skiing and boating are also allowed.

Bicyclists can ride the access road to the dam face and back. The route is scenic and little explored. The elevation at the dam is about the same as the starting point of the trail, so the trip is not strictly a climb, but peaks about the middle of the distance and then descends again to about 2,600 ft. When they reach the dam, cyclists can either return to the starting point along the two-lane paved road, or they can continue eastward along the rougher part of the road until it rejoins U.S. Route 70. A mountain bike or other rugged-type bicycle is recommended.

Coolidge Dam was constructed between 1924 and 1928 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for US$10 million($131 million in 2021 dollars). BIA also owns and operates it. The dam used 200,000 cubic yards (150,000 m3) of concrete and consists of three domes, which are supported by buttresses on 100-foot (30 m) centres.

Construction of the dam was opposed by the Apache tribe due to treaty rights but a settlement was reached with the tribe to handle a burial ground to the wishes of the Apache tribe. Currently, the tribal burial ground and the old camp from which the Apache tribe's prominent leader Geronimo started his bloody raids lay under the water.

Power generation at Coolidge Dam

As part of the San Carlos Indian Irrigation Project (SCIIP), Coolidge Dam formerly generated electricity from a hydroelectric plant that was constructed in 1935. A diesel-electric generating plant also run by the Project was built simultaneously to provide power for irrigation wells, local towns, rural users, and mining operations. The diesel power generators no longer run and the hydroelectric plant is no longer in service as it was rendered inoperable in the 1983 floods. Currently, the electricity needs of the dam are supplied by the Western Area Power Administration.

Structural modifications and floods

In 1991, work started to reinforce the dam to prevent failure from significant flooding and earthquake. The work was completed in 1995 for $US46.5 million ($76.6 million in 2021 dollars).

In January 1993, heavy rainfall filled San Carlos Lake forcing the operators to release excess water from the dam. Several El Paso Natural Gas pipelines, which crossed the Gila River near Coolidge, Winkelman, and Kelvin were uncovered by the force of the water and failed. However, despite concerns about the dam's safety, it survived the flood even though retrofit work was in process at the time.

If you are planning to boat or fish in the Coolidge Dam, the water levels might be down for most of the year except for the monsoon season in Arizona. The water from the dam is constantly drained for irrigation in the nearby area that is partly in a drought. So for most of the year, the dam will have low levels of water.

Apart from that, the dam is good to visit at any time of the year to view its architecture and bicycle through the surrounding trails.

1. Visitors who are not members of the San Carlos Apache tribe who wish to use San Carlos Lake must contact the tribal office for a permit since the lake is on tribal land.
2. The road to the dam is unpaved and damaged, make sure the vehicle you are travelling has enough ground clearance.
3. If you are planning to do any activities at the dam, please bring enough food and water as no shops exist near the dam.

1. Coolidge Dam is named after former President Calvin Coolidge and was dedicated by him on March 4, 1930.
2. When President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the dam in 1930, the dam was not begun to fill and grasses could be seen in the lake bed.
3. The dam is an important cultural site for the native Apache tribe, which has a reservation adjacent to the dam.
4. Coolidge Dam formerly generated electricity from a hydroelectric plant. The diesel generators no longer function and the electricity for the dam is now supplied by the Western Area Power Administration.

Depending on the type of visit, Coolidge Dam can be covered in an hour or a day. If you are visiting just to see the unique architecture of the dam, it will take only an hour or two to explore it fully.

If you plan to do some boating and fishing(depending on the levels of water) or bicycling through the offroad trails, you could easily spend a whole day here.

Coolidge Dam is located 200 km from Phoenix City. The nearest town is Perdot, there are buses run by Greyhound to Perdot from Phoenix Bus Station(about 3 hours on the road). From Peridot you will have to hire a taxi to reach the dam, it will take about 15 minutes to reach.

If you plan to visit by car, from Phoenix it is about 2 hours to reach the dam(200 km). Please bring vehicles with adequate ground clearance as most of the road from Perdot to the dam is unpaved.

There is no entrance fee to visit Coolidge Dam. However, visitors who are not members of the San Carlos Apache tribe must contact the tribal office for a permit to visit since the lake is on tribal land.

Coolidge Dam is open daily 24 hours a day. It is not recommended to access the lake and the bicycle trails after sunset.