Luna Lake, Arizona
Encyclopedia
Luna Lake is a natural body of water that covers approximately 75 acre (0.3035145 km²) of land. It is located about three miles (5 km) southeast of Alpine, Arizona
at the elevation of 7890 ft (2,404.9 m).
Luna Lake has the distinction of being part of the San Francisco River
, flowing easterly into New Mexico
, then south, and west into the Gila River
(in Arizona). The headwaters are north of the other main mountain tributary to the Gila, the Blue River
of Arizona
.
s, as such the facilities located here are managed by that authority. It is located about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Alpine
. It’s accessible year-round, but ices over in winter months.
. It has a maximum depth of 21 feet (6.4 m) and an average depth of 8 feet (2.4 m). It is stocked annually with fingerling and subcatchable rainbow and cutthroat trout. Because it is a shallow, nutrient-rich lake, it is subject to water quality problems and excessive weed growth. The Arizona Game and Fish Department
annually harvests weeds to help alleviate some of the water quality problems.
Alpine, Arizona
Alpine is an unincorporated community in Apache County, Arizona, United States, in Bush Valley in the east central part of the state. Alpine was settled in 1876 by Anderson Bush who built a log house originally known as "Fort Bush". Bush sold his holdings in 1879 to William Maxwell and Fred...
at the elevation of 7890 ft (2,404.9 m).
Luna Lake has the distinction of being part of the San Francisco River
San Francisco River
The San Francisco River is a river in the southwest United States, the largest tributary of the Upper Gila River. The river originates in Arizona and flows into New Mexico before it curves around and enters the Gila down stream from Clifton, Arizona....
, flowing easterly into New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, then south, and west into the Gila River
Gila River
The Gila River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 650 miles long, in the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona.-Description:...
(in Arizona). The headwaters are north of the other main mountain tributary to the Gila, the Blue River
Blue River, Arizona
The Blue River is a stream that runs through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. It arises near Alpine and flows south into the San Francisco River just upstream from Clifton. The Blue River varies in altitude from .- External links :* * *...
of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Location
Luna Lake lies at 7890 feet (2,404.9 m) on the Apache-Sitgreaves National ForestApache-Sitgreaves National Forest
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is a United States National Forest which runs along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains in east-central Arizona and extending into New Mexico, USA. Both forests are managed as one unit by USDA Forest Service from the forest headquarters in Springerville,...
s, as such the facilities located here are managed by that authority. It is located about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Alpine
Alpine, Arizona
Alpine is an unincorporated community in Apache County, Arizona, United States, in Bush Valley in the east central part of the state. Alpine was settled in 1876 by Anderson Bush who built a log house originally known as "Fort Bush". Bush sold his holdings in 1879 to William Maxwell and Fred...
. It’s accessible year-round, but ices over in winter months.
Description
Luna Lake is a 75 acres (303,514.5 m²) impoundment of the upper San Francisco RiverSan Francisco River
The San Francisco River is a river in the southwest United States, the largest tributary of the Upper Gila River. The river originates in Arizona and flows into New Mexico before it curves around and enters the Gila down stream from Clifton, Arizona....
. It has a maximum depth of 21 feet (6.4 m) and an average depth of 8 feet (2.4 m). It is stocked annually with fingerling and subcatchable rainbow and cutthroat trout. Because it is a shallow, nutrient-rich lake, it is subject to water quality problems and excessive weed growth. The Arizona Game and Fish Department
Arizona Game and Fish Department
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is a state agency of Arizona, headquartered in Phoenix. The agency is tasked with conserving, enhancing, and restoring Arizona's diverse wildlife resources and habitats through aggressive protection and management programs...
annually harvests weeds to help alleviate some of the water quality problems.
Fauna and flora
The following species are noted at Luna Lake.- Gray CatbirdGray CatbirdThe Gray Catbird , also spelled Grey Catbird, is a medium-sized northern American perching bird of the mimid family. It is the only member of the "catbird" genus Dumetella...
, (South and West of most westerly ranges in New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.) - Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
- Bald EagleBald EagleThe Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
- Mexican Spotted OwlSpotted OwlThe Spotted Owl, Strix occidentalis, is a species of true owl. It is a resident species of forests in western North America, where it nests in tree holes, old bird of prey nests, or rock crevices. Nests can be between 13 and 66 yards high and usually contain two eggs...
- Myotis occultus, the Arizona myotis, a Mouse-eared batMouse-eared batThe mouse-eared bats are a diverse and widespread genus of bats within the family Vespertilionidae.-Relationships:Myotis has historically been included in the subfamily Vespertilioninae, but was classified in its own subfamily, Myotinae, by Nancy Simmons in 1998...
- Northern Leopard Frog
- Chiricahua Leopard Frog
- Clover: Trifolium, Trifolium neurophyllum, "White MountainsWhite Mountains (Arizona)The White Mountains of Arizona are a mountain range and mountainous region in the eastern part of the state, near the border with New Mexico; it is a continuation from the west of the Arizona transition zone–Mogollon Rim, with the Rim ending in western New Mexico...
Clover" - Gila Groundsel, Senecio quaerens, SenecioSenecioSenecio is a genus of the daisy family that includes ragworts and groundsels. The flower heads are normally rayed, completely yellow, and the heads are borne in branched clusters...