Salt River Project says flows from Bartlett and Stewart Mountain dams could exceed 54,000 cubic feet per second as runoff continues.
PHOENIX, AZ — Salt River Project has sharply increased water releases from Bartlett and Stewart Mountain dams after exceptional fall storms sent heavy runoff into Arizona reservoirs, pushing large volumes of water into the Salt and Verde river systems and through the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The utility said releases from the two dams reached about 54,000 cubic feet per second, or roughly 403,000 gallons per second, as reservoir operators worked to preserve storage capacity and protect dams and downstream communities. SRP said flows were likely to exceed that level and could rise further depending on continued storm activity and incoming runoff. The releases follow an unusually wet stretch that the utility said is putting the Salt and Verde watersheds on track for a record-breaking fall.
SRP initially announced releases of about 20,000 cubic feet per second before increasing them as storms continued across the watershed. The utility said October and November inflows in the Verde River watershed are expected to be the highest since 1972 and about eight times greater than average. The surge comes after three consecutive seasons with relatively low runoff, creating a sharp change in conditions across the reservoir system.
Tim Skarupa, SRP’s senior manager of atmospheric sciences and hydrology, said releases are a key tool for managing the system during wet periods. By moving water downstream, reservoir operators create space to capture additional runoff from storms and later precipitation. SRP said wet years can produce more runoff than the reservoir system can store, even though the Salt and Verde systems generally operate with annual water supplies close to annual demand.
The increased water is flowing from the Verde and Salt rivers toward Granite Reef Diversion Dam and then through stretches of the normally dry Salt River in the Phoenix area. From there, the water is expected to continue toward the Gila River. SRP said cities and irrigation districts that receive water from its system will have an opportunity to use some of the additional supply, while water moving downstream can also contribute to aquifer recharge.
The releases have already affected recreation and transportation. Tempe closed Tempe Town Lake to on-water activities as increased flows and debris moved through the system. The closure disrupted rowing and other activities, while city officials monitored conditions. SRP also said several roads built within the normally dry Salt River channel in the East and West valleys would be closed while the elevated flows continue.
SRP senior hydrologist Jacob Richardson told Arizona’s Family that recent rainfall across the watershed has been exceptional and that releases are occurring at a time of year when such operations are less common. He said water could remain in the river system through the week and possibly into the following week, depending on continued inflows and how quickly conditions settle.
The dam releases are unfolding during a broader flood emergency across Arizona. Gov. Katie Hobbs declared a statewide state of emergency Nov. 2 after intense thunderstorms, strong winds and severe flash flooding affected communities in several parts of the state. Flooding prompted evacuations in areas including Sedona and Camp Verde, while Maricopa County also issued a local emergency declaration after several days of heavy rain.
Rainfall totals varied widely across the region. Maricopa County officials said parts of the Valley received 1 to 4 inches of rain during the late-October and early-November storms, while some higher-elevation foothill areas in northern and eastern portions of the county received as much as 8 inches. The rainfall added to runoff moving into rivers and reservoirs already responding to repeated storm systems.
SRP said it is coordinating with local governments, emergency managers and other agencies as the releases continue. The utility is also studying longer-term options to increase storage capacity in the Verde River reservoir system, including possible changes at Bartlett Dam. For now, releases from Bartlett and Stewart Mountain dams remain subject to change as operators monitor reservoir levels, weather and incoming runoff.
Author note: Last updated November 3, 2026.