The cornerstone of the park is the, Lake Pleasant, one of the important artificial reservoirs surrounding the Phoenix metropolitan area. Created by the Carl Pleasant Dam, which was finished in 1927, and upon completion, was the largest multi-arch dam in the world. The lake originally had a surface area of and served as a private irrigation project. At high and long, the original Carl Pleasant Dam was, at its completion, the largest agricultural dam project in the world. The lake was filled by the Agua Fria River, capturing a large watershed throughout Yavapai County. Construction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct, which began in 1973, soon diverted water from the Colorado River to the lake, converting the lake from an agricultural project into a storage reservoir for the project. Completed in 1994, the New Waddell Dam tripled the surface area of the lake, submerging the old dam beneath its waters. Shortly after the completion of the dam, the area experienced a prolonged drought, and while the lake grew considerably it would not reach full capacity until early 2005. Although still fed by the Agua Fria River, the CAP aqueduct is the primary source of water for the reservoir. Lake Pleasant is used as a major water sports recreation center for the Phoenix metro area, as well as serving as an important storage reservoir for the rapidly growing region. A number of boat docks and beach access make the lake a popular destination for scuba diving, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing and other water sports. The lake has been plagued by a number of deaths over the years, and Arizona authorities have from time to time called for caution when at Lake Pleasant because of a number of reasons, including rising waters and carbon monoxide in the area. Lake Pleasant Fish Species
The park covers a total of over 23,000 acres of mountainous desert landscape, including the lake, and boasts a number of other recreational activities, such as mountain biking, camping, and hiking. The park also has an educational visitors' center that provides information regarding the history of the lake, the construction of the Waddell Dam and the surrounding areas. The presence of the lake has also attracted other recreational activities in the area, such as a dirt racetrack and a large glider school/airport. The rapidly growing city ofPeoria has annexed the park and surrounding lands with an eye on future development, though 2007-2008 economic downturn has brought a temporary halt to its plans. Economy aside, the increasing popularity of the area is evidenced by rapidly growing subdivisions to the south, such as Vistancia, and skyrocketing real estate values, the city has zoned much of the land in the immediate vicinity for future use of both high-end waterfront residential neighborhoods and commercial opportunities off of Lake Pleasant Parkway and the Carefree Highway. Several plans also call for potentially expanding the existing airstrip to be expanded into a regional airport.
Annual events
Lake Pleasant Paddle Fest is a full day event featuring different paddle craft and fun activities. Bill Luke Bass Days is a day and night time festival taking place at Lake Pleasant Marina featuring carnival rides, cornhole tournament, wildlife exhibits, vendors, food and live music.
Transportation
The area is served by Pleasant Valley Airport, located 3 miles away. Plans to start commercial service to the airport, including from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, have been unsuccessful. Several roads connect the area to Phoenix's main freeway systems.
Scenery
The following pictures are of some of the scenery at Lake Pleasant Regional Park and the ruins of a thousand year old Hohokam Puebloans village. File:Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Sandstone cliffs.JPG|Sandstone cliffs at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. File:Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Scenery 2.JPG|Scenery at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. File:Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Indian Mesa.JPG|Indian Mesa at Lake Pleasant Regional Park in Arizona. On top of the Mesa are the ruins of a village built by the Hohokam Puebloans about 1000 years ago. File:Peoria-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Hiking trail.jpg|Hiking trail leading to the Indian Mesa. The hiking trail is located on a portion of a canal which the Hohokam built in 700 AD. The canal is now filled with soil. File:Peoria-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Indian Mesa Ruins Marker.jpg|U.S. Bureau of Land Management Marker on Indian Mesa. The marker warns that removal of artifacts is strictly forbidden by Federal Law. File:Peoria-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Indian Mesa Ruins 1.jpg|Part of the wall of the fort that surrounded the village. The holes in the wall are viewing holes so the defenders can view the only path to the top. File:Peoria-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Indian Mesa Ruins 2ax.jpg|A posthole dug by the Hohokams inside their house. The Hohokams placed heavy mesquite or pine posts in them to support a roof. File:Peoria-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Indian Mesa Ruins 3.jpg|Different view of the ruins of a Hohokam house. File:Peoria-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Indian Mesa Ruins 5.jpg|Another view of the ruins of a Hohokam house. File:Peoria-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Indian Mesa Ruins 6.jpg|Entrance to a Hohokam home. Lake Pleasant is in the background. File:Peoria-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Indian Mesa Ruins 7.jpg|Rocky trail leading to the entrance of a Hohokam house. File:Peoria-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Indian Mesa Ruins-Pottery 1.jpg|Ancient Hohokam pottery pieces found at Indian Mesa.
