The 622-acre Becker Lake Wildlife Area sits at an elevation of 6,910 feet. The lake has a surface area of 107 acres at full capacity. Built in 1880, the lake is one of the oldest reservoirs in the White Mountains.
Becker Lake Wildlife Area is composed of a variety of habitats, including stream-side, wet meadow, stream riparian, lake, and plains grassland community on the uplands. This wildlife area has two hiking trails: Lakeview Trail (~1 mile loop) and River Walk Trail (~1.5 miles long). It is open from sunrise to sunset. Parking is at designated sites only. The Becker Lake boat launch access road and parking areas, along with any other posted portions of the wildlife area, is closed to all public entry from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise daily.
Information
Location
Located on the west side of U.S. Route 60, Becker Lake Wildlife Area is located two miles northwest of Springerville, AZ in the Arizona White Mountains off the west side of Highway 60.
Plants
Habitats include an approximately ¾ mile of Little Colorado River streamside habitat, 120 acres of wet meadow, 5+ acres of stream riparian habitat, narrow leaf cottonwood trees located roughly along the Becker Lake filler ditch and south of the lake, a 107-acre lake, and a plains grassland community on the uplands.
Birds
Noteworthy documented or probable bird species include the bald eagle, Southwestern willow flycatcher, bobolink, mountain plover, peregrine falcon, and ferruginous hawk. Wintering bald eagles can often be seen within the Upper Little Colorado River Watershed State Important Bird Area.
Mammals
Common mammals in the area include mule deer, pronghorn, Gunnison’s prairie dog, beaver, badger and raccoon.
Amphibians and Reptiles
Common reptiles in the area include the Arizona black rattlesnake.
Management
Becker Lake is managed by AZGFD.
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