Kennedy Lake, Waterbody in Pima County, Arizona
Kennedy Lake is a small reservoir in John F. Kennedy Park in southwestern Tucson, Arizona, covering about 10 acres with a maximum depth of 12 feet. The water is supplied by city pipes and the lake is regularly stocked with catfish, trout, and bluegill by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
The lake was created in the 1960s when Tucson built a dam on a small creek to supply water to the new park. The park was named after President Kennedy following his assassination in 1963 and has served as a community memorial ever since.
The lake is named after President John F. Kennedy and became a community gathering place after his death in 1963. Fishing here remains an important local tradition, with the water regularly stocked to give residents access to outdoor recreation in an urban desert setting.
The park opens early at 6 a.m. and closes at 10:30 p.m. daily, with easy car access and nearby parking. Fishing requires a state license, and swimming, wading, and glass containers are not permitted, though small boats and canoes can be used if properly licensed and equipped with safety gear.
The lake is fed entirely by city water pipes rather than natural sources, making it a constructed oasis in the desert landscape. Gasoline motors are banned from all boats, keeping the water unusually quiet for an urban reservoir in Arizona.
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