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Granite Reef

Granite Reef is one of many recreation sites along the Salt River. The river us paralleled by the Bush Highway that originates from Power Road, runs along the Salt River, and eventually connects to Highway 87 going to Payson, AZ. I have been to almost every one of these recreation sites, but Granite Reef really attracted my attention because it was closer to home and had a nice diversity of birds. Granite Reef is a well-known birding site so it is not one of those 'unbirded' areas. I do consider it, along with Tres Rios, another one of my personal education birding sites. During some of the winter months I can see as many as 17 species of ducks/geese. Bald Eagles have nested here.

Granite Reef diversion dam was constructed between 1906 and 1908 by the Bureau of Reclamation. It's purpose was to divert excess water released from storage dams on the Salt and Verde Rivers. This water diverts to the canal system in the phoenix metro area servicing the city proper, farms, and Indian tribes. Because water flows into and out of this area, water levels fluctuate sometimes favoring (when high) massive numbers of ducks and waterfowl or shorebird habitat (when low). The main recreation area has recently been modified by the bureau. Unfortunately, some of these modifications destroyed aquatic vegetation in an attempt to make it more public friendly. Many picnicers and kayakers access the Salt River from here. There is a nice assortment of picnic tables, a public restroom (a really nice version of a port-a-potty), and a fair amount of shade.