Situated on the border of Maricopa and Yavapai counties, northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, Lake Pleasant Regional Park is a vast outdoor recreation area. It resides within the municipal boundaries of Peoria, Arizona, and stands as a prominent recreational hub for the northwest Phoenix metropolitan area.
At the heart of the park lies Lake Pleasant, a sprawling 10,000-acre (16 sq mi; 40 km2) artificial reservoir that ranks among the significant reservoirs encircling the Phoenix metropolitan region. Constructed with the completion of the Carl Pleasant Dam in 1927, which held the distinction of being the world’s largest multi-arch dam at the time, the lake initially covered an area of 3,700 acres (5.8 sq mi; 15 km2) and served as a private irrigation endeavor. The original Carl Pleasant Dam, towering 76 ft (23 m) high and stretching 2,160 ft (660 m) long, marked the most substantial agricultural dam project globally upon its construction. The lake was filled by the Agua Fria River, capturing water from a vast watershed spanning Yavapai County.
In 1973, the commencement of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct led to the diversion of water from the Colorado River to Lake Pleasant, transforming it into a storage reservoir for the project from its previous agricultural role. The completion of the New Waddell Dam in 1994 tripled the lake’s surface area, submerging the old dam beneath its waters. However, following the dam’s construction, the region endured a prolonged drought, and although the lake expanded significantly, it did not reach its full capacity until early 2005. While the Agua Fria River still contributes to the lake’s water supply, the primary source now comes from the CAP aqueduct.
Lake Pleasant serves as a prominent hub for water sports recreation in the Phoenix metropolitan area, as well as playing a crucial role as a storage reservoir for the rapidly growing region. Numerous boat docks and beach access points attract visitors, making it a favored destination for activities such as scuba diving, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing, and other water sports.