2018 Map of Horse Mesa Dam

About this map

Horse Mesa Dam anchors this section of the Salt River canyon system, impounding the waters of Apache Lake within the Tonto National Forest. The landscape is defined by massive geological formations, including the sheer Painted Cliffs and the appropriately named Walls of Bronze. Transportation through this difficult terrain is dominated by the historic Apache Trl, which winds along the southern elevations above Fish Creek Canyon and Mesquite Flat. This 2018 survey illustrates the complex relationship between water management and the natural desert environment, marking numerous water sources such as Hells Hole Spring and O'Connell Spring that have been vital to the area's utility. The map also records the boundary between Gila and Maricopa Counties at the northeastern corner of the reservoir.