Flood update: Lower Salt River back open

Announcement: The lower Salt River is officially back open; the closure order in connection with the extreme release of water from Stewart Mountain dam has been terminated.

We were not able to fill feed stations this week anywhere, not for Shadowfax or any other sick horses, so we have a lot of work to do and a lot of hungry horses.

We are aware of one dead horse on the banks, we are checking on that asap. We might be able to go up in a helicopter this afternoon with @N5 helicopters for a count and welfare check of horses. If we do, then we will check the banks of the river while keeping our own recommended height as not to spook horses.

There is a lot of brush and debris everywhere as the flood reached as high as 40.000 CFS. Everyone please be careful for very muddy and sandy banks.

We are also still patiently awaiting permission to drive the last valley horses back to the river through the wash behind our property. (These are the last two bands who do not know where the river is) We are hopeful that the other bands will show them the way.

Here is our hotline number for reporting anything amiss with Salt River wild horses: (480) 868-9301

Please watch for and be mindful of Salt River wild horses when recreating on the lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest!

Thank you for your support.
SRWHMG.