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This Thanksgiving weekend is will be your last chance to hike around Lynx Lake until next summer. Beginning December 1st, bald eagle nesting will necessitate several closures in the Prescott National Forest.
A pair of bald eagles successfully raised a pair of young eagles at Lynx Lake last year. In hopes of a sixth successful season, the Prescott National Forest will implement an area closure around the nest area from Monday, December 1, 2008 until June 30, 2009.
The area closure will include the trail along the east side of the lake and the associated portion of the shoreline, the area on the face of the dam, and part of the surface of the lake. The trail and shoreline areas will be marked with bright orange fences and signs while the water surface closure will be marked with buoys.
“I am looking forward to a sixth successful nesting season for bald eagles at Lynx Lake,” said Prescott National Forest Wildlife Biologist Noel Fletcher.
Forest Service personnel will monitor the bald eagles at Lynx Lake to watch for eagles exhibiting breeding behavior. The winter of 2008/2008 marks the eighth nesting season for the eagles at Lynx Lake. “With five successful years of bald eagles’ nesting at Lynx Lake, including two healthy fledglings last year, the site has proven to be a safe and productive one for the eagles,” said Fletcher. By adhering to the posted closures, visitors can provide the eagles with the best opportunity for another successful nesting season.
In cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, biologists with the Prescott National Forest have been monitoring wintering bald eagles at Lynx Lake, as well as Goldwater, Watson, and Willow Lakes for the past 13 years. Through the years, bald eagles have been seen at all four lakes during the early January survey.
The Forest Service will also close bald eagle breeding areas along the Verde River to the public this December. The closure is expected to last through June 30, 2009 when nesting season ends and fledglings are independent. The special closures are necessary to reduce human disturbances to the eagles during their nesting season in the Verde Valley. The possible consequences of people disturbing nesting eagles include abandonment of eggs and loss of young.
One closure area lies north of Clarkdale. It is the two-mile section of the Verde River and adjacent National Forest lands in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek downstream to the rapids/powerline crossing. The other area is south of Camp Verde. It is the two-mile section of the Verde River and adjacent National Forest lands in the vicinity of the "Verde Falls" downstream to below Sycamore Canyon. Road closures include Forest Road 9709R from its junction with Forest Road 574 and parts of Forest Road 500 south of Cottonwood Basin.
River rafters may pass on the river in the closure areas but are restricted from stopping, taking out watercraft, or delaying their passage through the area. Signs are posted along the river to mark the closure boundaries.
Common uses of the area such as hunting, target shooting, fishing, hiking and off-road vehicle use are prohibited. Violation of any of the closures is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both.
Eagle watchers will be stationed at the closure areas to protect nesting eagles and to monitor the eagles' activities for the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program. Protection of these breeding areas occurs annually through the cooperation of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Coconino and Prescott National Forests, and the public.
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