It’s more fun at the Lake!
Pleasant Harbor is conveniently located on the beautiful southeastern shores of Lake Pleasant in Peoria, Arizona, just outside of the Phoenix Metro area. We are open to the public and offer facilities to go boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, sailing, hiking, kayaking and even flyboarding! Whether you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, or simply wish to have some fun in the sun, Lake Pleasant is the perfect anytime getaway.
Pleasant Harbor has two four lane boat ramps to accommodate any watercraft. Our South ramp is perfect for sail boaters and close to available sail boat storage that allows for your mast to stay up year round!
About Pleasant Harbor
Pleasant Harbor is located on the southeastern shores of Lake Pleasant, conveniently adjacent to the metropolitan Phoenix area and open to the public 365 days a year. The full service marina, features a lakeside restaurant, boat and slip rentals, as well as fly boarding, Jet Ski, kayak, paddle boat, and sail boat rentals. As well, The Phoenix, a 150 passenger boat cruise provides tours of majestic Lake Pleasant. Pleasant Harbor is also home to a RV Resort with 254 full hook up sites, 60 partial hook ups and unlimited dry camping sites featuring amenities including a club house, pool and Jacuzzi, bocce ball, basketball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, laundry facilities, showers, convenience store and picnic grounds. For more information about Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina, visit www.pleasantharbor.com or call the Pleasant Harbor RV Park at 623.235.6140 or the Pleasant Harbor Marina at 623.235.6130.
About Maricopa Water District
Maricopa Water District (MWD), owner and operator of Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina, was formally organized in 1925, as Maricopa County Municipal Water Conservation District Number One. Maricopa Water District (MWD) controls more than 150,000 acre feet of water storage at Lake Pleasant, managing more than 100 miles of lateral pipelines, while providing water to a 60 square mile service area, including citrus trees, flowers, vegetables, farms and golf courses. Additionally, MWD is the owner of Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina, sitting on 225 acres of pristine desert along the banks of Lake Pleasant.
Our History
The “Old” Dam
The “Carl” Pleasant Dam, later renamed Waddell Dam, was constructed between 1926 and 1928, creating the upper portion of Lake Pleasant. At the time, it was the largest Multiple Arch Dam in the world.
The dam stood 176 feet in height and 2,160 feet in length. At 126 feet above streambed, its elevation was 1,601 feet (above sea level). It created a Lake with 3,706 surface acres of water having a shoreline of 50+ miles.
The “New” Dam
The new dam was completed in March 1993. It raised the water level by 100 vertical feet and increased the overall lake volume from 157,000-acre feet to 860,000-acre feet. The resultant water surface area increased from 3,528 acres to 9,966 acres. The new high water mark was reached for the first time in April 1994. Seasonal water demands could still result in as much as a 100 vertical drawdown with restoration during the winter months.
The Lake receives water from the Agua Fria River and canal water from the Central Arizona Project (CAP) reaching elevation at high water mark 1,702 feet above sea level, normally in Mid-Spring. In June, the drawdown cycle begins with water released from the Lake through the CAP canal for irrigation of the West Valley Agricultural Areas during the summer months.
