Lake at Mansel Carter Oasis Park

Hours of Park and Lake: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. 

The lake at Mansel Carter Oasis Park is the Town’s first lake and efficiently uses the Town’s recovered water and avoids using potable (drinking) water for landscaping at the park.

Where does the water in the lake come from?

The well at Mansel Carter Oasis Park pulls recovered water (or recharged effluent) from the ground that is non-potable (not considered for drinking, but suitable for landscaping and other uses).

How is pumping recovered water saving the Town money?

Potable water is delivered to homes and businesses in Queen Creek. Once that water goes down a drain, it is considered wastewater and treated at the Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant. The treated water is then delivered to a neighboring irrigation district system or to recharge basins of neighboring municipalities; both options are alternatives to building a large pipeline system that would pump the treated effluent back to Queen Creek, which would be very expensive. The Town receives credits for the recovered water it supplies because that recovered water is being used instead of groundwater. The Town can use those credits to pump recovered water at the well at Mansel Carter Oasis Park into the lake and use the recovered water for landscaping at the park.

How the lake will be used to irrigate the park?

Water will be pumped from the lake at Mansel Carter Oasis Park to efficiently irrigate the turf grass and plant materials. To conserve water and benefit park users, the Town will water at night, minimizing evaporation and allowing the turf to remain in use while the park is open. To water a large park in 6-8 hours means that you need to deliver a large quantity of water in a short period of time. Pumping water from the lake provides a large volume of water at high enough pressure to allow for efficient irrigation of the turf grass and plant materials in the desired time period.

What steps have been taken to reduce mosquitoes at the lake?

Lakes are typically not breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in shallow, still water. The lake will be relatively deep (13 feet) with circulators and aeration systems to keep the water moving. There will be fish to consume any mosquito larvae that may unexpectedly try to inhabit the lake. Mosquito larvae hang at the water surface to take in oxygen, making them easy and tasty targets for fish.

Fishing at Mansel Carter Oasis Park

The lake at Mansel Park will be stocked regularly by the Arizona Game & Fish Department as part of the Community Fishing Program. 

Is a license required to fish at Mansel Carter Oasis Park?

Yes, a fishing license is required for any person age 10 and older.  Children 9 and younger can fish without a license.

What kind of license do I need to fish at Mansel Lake and where can I purchase one?

All of the types of Arizona Game & Fish Department (AGFD) fishing licenses will be valid at Mansel Lake.  Fishing licenses can be purchased at any of over 300 license dealers in the state, including Walmart, Bass Pro Shop, Big 5 and almost any sporting goods store that sells fishing poles and at any of the 7 AGFD offices in the state.  A license can be purchased online at www.azgfd.gov and is valid instantly or can be printed at home.

Is a special fishing license required for trout fishing?

Arizona Game & Fish Department bundled the trout privileges and 2-pole privileges with the license so there are no longer any special stamps required.

Since the water is not potable, are the fish safe to eat?

The water quality of the lake will be similar to that of other community fishing lakes. Although it is not potable water, the contaminant levels should be well below the levels required for fish consumption. Additionally, the lake will have a “put and take” fishery, which means the majority of fish will not spend extended period of time in the lake. The Arizona Department of Game and Fish (AZG&F) stocks according to fishing pressure; they often put in a few large fish to create an incentive for the anglers. The fish are hatchery reared, so they have minimal accumulated contaminant when they enter the lake.

Fishing is not permitted from fenced areas. 

Fishing Line Bins have been installed at Mansel Carter Oasis Park!

Mansel Park is an IBCCES Autism Certified Center. Please click here for more information on certification or to review the facility observations and sensory guides.