Excess water levels at Horseshoe Reservoir in January created a rare waterfall northeast of the Phoenix area.
On Dec. 30, Salt River Project began a controlled release of water from Horseshoe Dam, sending thousands of gallons through a spillway along the Verde River that flows into nearby Bartlett Lake, according to SRP’s website.
The powerful water flow cascaded over a concrete spillway designed to manage excess water, creating a human-made waterfall.
The unique sight could even be walked under, thanks to a convenient walking path that went underneath the span of the spillway, as seen in a video by Phoenix With Kids.
The water was released at a rate of about 2,000 cubic feet per second, which was expected to increase water levels at Bartlett Lake by more than 4 feet, SRP added.
The release happens periodically and would continue through January, but SRP didn’t share a specific end date.
The waterfall was still active as of Thursday, as reported by William Pitts of 12News, who captured the reactions of Arizonans. One visitor remarked they had never heard of the phenomenon before.
Horseshoe Reservoir, also called Horseshoe Lake, is a non-hydro-generating water source that supports the Valley’s complex canal system. According to SRP, it is one of the most remote lakes in the Phoenix area. Travelers are advised to check current water levels before planning a visit.
Directions to the waterfall have been shared online by blogger R. Scott Jones and can be found on Google Maps.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Human-made waterfall only rarely appears. Here’s how to see it in AZ