Tag Archives: Lake Mary

West Side of Lower Lake Mary closed due to leaking levee

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest’s Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) has issued a closure order for a portion of Lower Lake Mary’s west side due to a leaking levee.

The closure has been issued as a precaution due to visible leaks in the levee.

“The safety of the public is our No. 1 priority,” said Deputy District Ranger Nicholas Mustoe. “Luckily, heavy snowfall this past winter means there are still numerous spots in the Lower Lake Mary area that visitors can still safely access.”

Lower Lake Mary visitors are advised to check the closure order map and abide by all posted signage.

Forest engineers have been working to assess the structural integrity of the levee since Friday, and forest personnel are seeking to contract a qualified third-party to assist with the analysis.

Should the levee fail, Lower Lake Mary will empty out into a side tributary. There are no campgrounds, recreation sites or private homes at risk should the levee fail. Forest officials ask the public to comply with the closure order and find other areas around Lower Lake Mary to recreate until the levee can be assessed and repaired.

Forest Road (FR) 296 may become impassible should the levee fail. Forest visitors are reminded to check the status of all forest roads at coconinonationalforest.us prior to any forest excursion.

Lower Lake Mary stocked with 12,000 trout

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FLAGSTAFF – The new fish stocking season has begun in the Flagstaff and Williams region. That includes Lower Lake Mary, which from Thursday to Friday was stocked with a total of 12,000 rainbow trout.

Lower Lake Mary has its highest water levels since 2010. Having been partially replenished, this 450-acre lake in Flagstaff is basically a new fishery.

Lower Lake Mary grows trout particularly quickly. The lake is no more than half full, and with possible snow in this region through May, the lake levels likely will continue rising.

An angler’s bait of choice? Bring along some worms. Earthworms tend to flee from their underground dwellings during heavy rains.

“There’s a lot of nutrients when Lower Mary fills, but this time of year they’re feeding on earthworms,” said AZGFD Wildlife Specialist Chuck Benedict. “You’re going from 30 surface acres of water (before the winter) to 950 acres of water when full. That’s a lot of earthworms that are coming out.”

Upper Lake Mary is still spilling.

For more information on fishing in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov.

One Vehicle Rollover Crash on Lake Mary Road Results in Two Deaths

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FLAGSTAFF — On May 18, 2015 at around 1:30 pm, the Sheriff/Police 911 Dispatch Center in Flagstaff received a report of a one vehicle rollover crash that occurred near milepost 328 Lake Mary Road. On scene responders found two female victims who had been ejected from the vehicle and were deceased, and a male who was trapped inside the vehicle and who was still responsive. First responders extricated the male who was then transported via air to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC).

The three victims are siblings. The driver who was transported to FMC is 21 year old Nathan Bighorse. He is in stable condition. The two females who succumbed to injuries were his 9 year old and 13 year old sisters. The vehicle was a Chevy ½-ton pickup.

Responding agencies included Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Guardian Medical Ground, Guardian Air, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Blue Ridge Fire Department, and Highlands Fire Department.

At this time the cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office; speed is likely to have been a contributing factor.