Mormon Flat Dam maintenance underway to protect water supply

Water levels are dropping at Canyon Lake and today we're getting a rare look inside at the massive maintenance underway at Mormon Flat Dam. The work is being done to protect the valley's water supply. Fox 10 photojournalist Andra Mahomes has a closer look. For the first time in about 20 years, crews can get a close look at equipment normally hidden beneath Canyon Lake. We drop at 54 feet so we can access all the equipment that we can't typically see when there's water on the gates. The drawdown is timed with SRP switching its water supply from the Salt River to the Verde River. And with the water out of the way, crews can fully operate and inspect these massive spill gates. It's a once in every 20 year type event. Nothing like what we're seeing today. The gates weigh about 400,000 pounds each and are original to the dam. Crews are inspecting equipment, refurbishing components, and giving the gates a new protective coating. On this project, we're actually going to sandblast the gates and put a new protective coating so they'll last another 20 years. And the reason all of this matters beyond the maintenance itself These gates need to operate flawlessly, so they'll raise and pass that water safely so we don't overflow the dam or cause any issues for the valley. The water's down about 50 feet, giving crews a rare look at parts of Mormon Flat Dam that are normally underwater. Crews have about eight weeks to complete the inspections and maintenance before the lake begins filling again. SRP says the goal is to have Canyon Lake back open to the public around mid-January. At Canyon Lake, Andra Mahomes, Fox 10 News.