Snowmelt runoff from the anomalous amounts of snow over the Arizona high terrain led to continued elevated flows in the Salt and Verde River watersheds. Dam releases being conducted in these watersheds to deal with the abnormal runoff led to continued downstream impacts along the Salt and Gila Rivers, which initially began in March. Continued releases from Granite Reef Dam allowed for elevated flows to persist in the normally dry Salt River with multiple unbridged river crossings remaining closed due to flooding. The heightened flows in the Salt River led to the fatalities of two men who were caught in an undercurrent while paddle boarding down the river. Releases from Granite Reef Dam were significantly reduced by the end of April as runoff into the watersheds decreased. Flow in the Salt and Gila Rivers continued to travel downstream to Painted Rock Dam. Releases from this dam led to elevated flows traveling down the Gila River into Yuma County, leading to numerous additional closures of unbridged river crossings. Elevated flows in the Salt and Gila Rivers allowed for impacts to persist into the month of May.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-APR-23 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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 remained closed due to flooding from the Salt River beginning on March 7th and continuing through April. Timing based on water releases from Granite Reef Dam.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-APR-23 00:00:00 to 15-APR-23 13:30:00 (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 March 12th and continuing into April. End timing estimated based on upstream FCDMC stream gauge at 51st Avenue.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-APR-23 00:00:00 to 10-APR-23 12:00:00 (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 March 14th and continuing into April. End timing based on upstream FCDMC stream gauge along the Gila River at 116th Avenue.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-APR-23 00:00:00 to 09-APR-23 10:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: GOMEZ ARPT
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Two men paddle boarding down the Salt River were caught in an undercurrent near 19th Avenue and Broadway on the 9th. They became stuck in the undercurrent around 1000MST and began yelling for help before disappearing under the water. The bodies of the two men were recovered about a week later on the 15th and 16th. Flow in the Salt River was unusually high at the time due to continued upstream releases from Granite Reef Dam. Start time based on continued releases from Granite Reef Dam.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-APR-23 00:00:00 to 30-APR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: SADDLE
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Water being released from Painted Rock Dam traveled down the Gila River, flooding several low water crossings between the dam and the Yuma County line. This led to the closures of Poco Dinero Road between Painted Rock Dam Road and Saddle Road as well as Rocky Point Road between Hyder Road and Painted Rock Dam Road.

Flood in YUMA, ARIZONA
From 01-APR-23 00:00:00 to 30-APR-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: STOVAL
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Water being released from Painted Rock Dam continued to travel down the Gila River through Yuma County, flooding numerous unbridged river crossings. According to the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, numerous unbridged roads across the Gila River were closed due to flooding going into the last week of April. These road closures persisted into the month of May as elevated flows continued in the Gila River. The USGS gauge along the Gila River near Dateland show the gauge climbing above action stage (8 feet) on April 22nd. By April 30th, the USGS gauge along the Gila River near Dome began to respond as flow in the river continued to gradually travel downstream.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-APR-23 00:00:00 to 10-APR-23 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: DREAMLAND VILLA
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 30.00K
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 March 14th and continuing into April. The unbridged Gilbert Road crossing sustained heavy damage due to the high flows in the river, keeping the road closed after waters had receded. End timing based on water releases from Granite Reef Dam.