Navajo Times

Wheatfield Lake To Be Second Largest In Arizona

Wheatfield Lake, which has been undergoing enlargement since September 1, will be the second biggest trout lake in Arizona upon completion sometime this summer.

The dam and lake are part of a multipurpose development for recreation and irrigation purposes.

The lake is located on the reservation about 45 miles north of Window Rock, close to the Arizona-New Mexico border. It is in the Lukachukai Mountains at an elevation of 7,295 feet with ponderosa pine beautifying the western shoreline, and juniper, sage, and other growth surrounding the rest of the area. The lake was formed by diverting water from Wheatfield Creek, from which it derives its name. With the Lukachukai Mountains as a backdrop, the lake will be an extremely scenic area.

At capacity, Wheatfield Lake will have 270 surface acres of water, will impound 5,000 acre feet of water and will be 43 feet deep at the new 47 foot dam under construction. The only trout lake in Arizona which will be larger is Big Lake, which has between 500 and 600 surface acres. Hawley Lake on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation near McNary has approximately 250 surface acres.

Last June, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stocked the lake with 65,000 two-inch rainbow trout. In December these fish averaged about 7 inches, indicating that the lake is rich in fodder and should produce big fish quickly. The fish should now be much larger if they continued in this growth pattern.

The construction of the new dam to enlarge and deepen the lake was undertaken following a feasibility study of this area, which indicated a strong recreational probability for the project. Participating in this coordinated effort are the BIA Irrigation Branch of Forestry, Navajo Forest Products Industries, Branch of Land Operation, Branch of Roads, Fishery Biologist of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tribal Public Relations Department, and the Navajo Tribal Council.

The dam is being built by the Division of Construction, using the Tribe's heavy equipment pool and Navajo labor. The consulting engineering firm has a field laboratory at the site which assures that all the specifications for construction are being followed. The top of the dam will be wide enough for a paved highway and sturdy enough to support 10 ton hauling trucks by weight.

Plans for recreational development of the lake include concession services, picnic and camping facilities, boat docks and loading ramps. These are still in the planning stages.

No definite date has been announced for opening of the lake to the public.