Anomalous snowfall across the high terrain of Arizona as well as lower elevation rainfall led to greater than normal runoff into the Salt and Verde watersheds. As a result of this, dam releases were conducted at multiple locations in these watersheds, leading to heightened flows in these rivers. Upstream releases led to additional releases from Granite Reef Dam, which initially began to cause impacts on the 4th when releases from the dam increased above 1,000 cfs. Granite Reef Dam releases continued to increase going through the month of March and at one point during the month was releasing nearly 40,000 cfs. Releases from this dam led to downstream flow in the normally dry Salt River, which runs through the Phoenix metro. The anomalous runoff into the Salt and Verde watersheds and the resultant dam releases led to numerous impacts along the Salt, Verde, and Gila Rivers, including multiple unbridged river crossings being flooded, multiple water rescues, and one recreational fatality. Flow in the Salt River continued downstream into the Gila River, causing more impacts along the way down to Painted Rock Dam. Releases continued through the remainder of the month and into April, resulting in prolonged impacts.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: GOMEZ ARPT
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

According to MCDOT, the unbridged Salt River crossing along 67th Avenue between Broadway Road and Southern Avenue was closed due to flooding beginning on the 12th and continued into April. Timing based on water releases from Granite Reef Dam.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: AVONDALE
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

According to MCDOT, the unbridged Gila River crossing along El Mirage Road between Southern Avenue and Indian Springs Road was closed due to flooding beginning on the 14th and continued into April. Timing based on water releases from Granite Reef Dam.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: SKYWAY VLG
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies received a call around 1145 MST on the 18th of a reported drowning after an 81-year-old man fell out of his kayak and didn't resurface. The incident occurred near the Pebble Beach area along the Salt River. Other kayakers on the river pulled the man out and administered first aid but were not successful. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Approximately 20 minutes later, a family kayaking downstream on the Salt River near the Phon D Sutton Recreation Area had to be rescued after their kayak capsized. The family managed to stay afloat by holding onto some bushes and trees. All of the family members were safely rescued via helicopter by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Ongoing dam releases were resulting in strong currents in the river at the time of these incidents. Event timing is based on downstream Granite Reef Dam releases.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: SUNFLOWER
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Lake levels at Bartlett Lake quickly rose during the overnight hours Thursday night into Friday morning on the 16th-17th. Levels reportedly rose 10 feet during the overnight hours, leaving at least two camp trailers submerged in several feet of water. No injuries were reported.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: AVONDALE
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A man was swept away after attempting to walk through the flooded unbridged El Mirage Road crossing that goes through the normally dry Gila River between Southern Avenue and Indian Springs Road. The man was walking through the water while carrying his bicycle when he was swept away on the 17th. The man was successfully rescued with no injuries reported. Event timing is based on Granite Reef Dam releases.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: DREAMLAND VILLA
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

According to MCDOT, the unbridged Salt River crossing along Gilbert Road between Thomas Road and SR 87 was closed due to flooding beginning on the 14th and continued into April. Timing based on water releases from Granite Reef Dam.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: AVONDALE
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Two people were rescued after driving around road closure barricades and attempting to drive through a flooded roadway with a recreational vehicle. While attempting to cross the flooded roadway, the recreational vehicle was swept off the road. The incident occurred around 2100 MST on the 30th at the unbridged El Mirage Road crossing that goes through the normally dry Gila River between Southern Avenue and Indian Springs Road. The two people were safely rescued by the fire department via helicopter. No injuries were reported. Event timing is based on Granite Reef Dam releases.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: SCOTTSDALE
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

According to the Maricopa County DOT, McKellips Road between Alma School Road and SR 202 was closed due to flooding from the Salt River beginning on the 7th and continued into April. Timing based on water releases from Granite Reef Dam.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: CASHION
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Two people became stranded on top of their vehicle in the Salt River along 91st Avenue near Baseline Road after attempting to cross through the flooded roadway. The initial call for help occurred on the 17th around 1845 MST. They were safely rescued by the fire department via helicopter. No injuries were reported. Event timing is based on releases from Granite Reef Dam.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: AVONDALE
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Buckeye Fire Department performed a water rescue at the unbridged Gila River crossing along El Mirage Road between Southern Avenue and Indian Springs Road on the 18th. The exact details surrounding the water rescue are unknown. The road had been closed since the 14th due to the elevated flow in the river. Event timing is based on releases from Granite Reef Dam.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: SKYWAY VLG
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Two people kayaking on the Salt River approaching the Phon D Sutton Recreation Area became separated before one of them capsized on the 19th. The capsized kayaker was able to hold onto trees while the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office worked to rescue him via helicopter. The man was safely rescued with no injuries reported. Ongoing dam releases were resulting in strong currents in the river at the time. Event timing is based on downstream Granite Reef Dam releases.