Bethany Home Outflow Channel

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Bethany Home Outflow Channel is a man-made channel located in the state of Arizona, which serves as a flood control measure for the Phoenix metropolitan area.


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Summary

Although not a typical tourist destination, there are a few reasons to visit the channel. For example, visitors can witness the impressive engineering feat of the channel, which was designed to prevent flooding and protect nearby communities. Additionally, the channel is a popular destination for fishermen, as it is stocked with fish such as bass, catfish, and sunfish.

There are several points of interest to see along the Bethany Home Outflow Channel, such as the Arizona Canal, which intersects with the channel at several points. Visitors can also see numerous bridges that span the channel, including pedestrian bridges, which offer scenic views of the channel and surrounding mountains.

Interesting facts about the Bethany Home Outflow Channel include the fact that it can hold up to 1.5 billion gallons of water, and that it was constructed in the 1980s as a joint project between the Maricopa County Flood Control District and the City of Phoenix. In addition, the channel is home to a variety of wildlife, such as birds, snakes, and lizards.

The best time of year to visit the Bethany Home Outflow Channel is during the cooler months of fall, winter, and spring, as temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Visitors should also be aware of potential flash floods during monsoon season, which typically occurs from June to September.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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