Theodore Roosevelt Dam

A couple weeks ago we spent a day driving to Theodore Roosevelt Dam. Building of the dam started in 1903, shortly after Congress passed the Reclamation Act of 1902.  This act allowed for developing water projects to control floods and drought, harnessing water, and supporting growth and development of the desert southwest.

Workers constructed the dam at a narrow gorge where the Salt River and Tonto Creek merged.  At the time it was built (between 1903 and 1911) the cyclopean-masonry gravity arch dam was the highest in the world, and among the last of the stone masonry dams built.

Stones were cut from surrounding hillsides, and placed by hand to construct the dam.  It rose 280 feet above the river; 184 feet thick at the base, and 16 feet wide on top. The original dam top provided space for two Model-T Fords to pass as tourists drove the Apache Trail highway.

In 1984 Congress approved to modify the dam, making it safer and providing for more flood water storage. These modifications, done between 1993 and 1996, involved adding concrete reinforcements, increasing the dam height to 357 feet and strengthened it's entire structure.

In addition to regulating and storing water, recreation opportunities also developed.  Boating, fishing and camping are popular on the reservoir.  New upgraded roads, including Roosevelt Lake Bridge, allow visitors driving large recreational vehicles and modern day autos, to reach the lake more safely.

February 2015 Activities

In February we joined a travel group for an overnight bus tour to Jerome-Sedona-Camp Verde area.  The tour bus left from the park and drove us to Jerome, AZ for lunch and sightseeing.  Jerome was once a booming mining town, but now is a "ghost town"/tourist destination.  The town, built on Cleopatra Hill, sits nearly a mile high, with houses and shops clinging to the twisty streets.  Shops and restaurants are available to explore. One restaurant is said to have a "ghost cat" who rubs on customers legs under the table while they dine.

From Jerome we took the bus to Sedona, AZ. We drove up Airport Road to get a panoramic view of the city and it's famous red rock formations. Some chose to stay and shop in Sedona; the rest of us chose the drive through Oak Creek Canyon.  This scenic drive follows AZ89A along Oak Creek; with hairpin curves and steep walled canyons we ascended to the peak and hiked a bit among the evergreens.Along the way we saw Slide Rock Park, a natural water slide area of Oak Creek.  The large smooth rock and flowing water makes this a popular place for families to picnic and enjoy some watery fun.

From Sedona we were on our way to Camp Verde where we spent the night at Cliff Castle Casino.
In the morning the bus left for a short drive to Montezuma Castle National Monument.
  Montezuma Castle is one of the best preserved prehistoric Native American dwellings in North America.  The 45 room, six story high cliff dwelling, built high into the sandstone cliffs some 600 years ago, provided safety for the inhabitants who lived there. Unfortunately tourists are no longer allowed into the ruins.

From Camp Verde we were on the road back to home, with a short rest stop and treat at a pie shop along the way.