Officials warn visitors not to take trip to the bottom of empty Tempe Town Lake

TEMPE, AZ - There may not be any water in Tempe Town Lake, but officials say that doesn’t mean you should be taking a trip down to the bottom of the empty lake bed.

Tempe police and park rangers have had to escort several people out of the lake bed this week, officials said.

"It is frustrating," said Kris Baxter, spokeswoman for the City of Tempe. "We want people to stay out."

Baxter said there have been several people venturing down into the river bed with fishing gear or metal detectors.

Authorities are encouraging people to stay out of the lake bed, as there are deep spots of mud, broken glass, steep embankments and even the possibility of bacterial infections, such as giardia and tetanus.

"The mud is very deep," Baxter said. "You could sink several feet and have some pretty horrible broken bones as a result."

Signs are posted along the banks warning people against trespassing which can carry a jail sentence of six months and a $1,000 fine.

So far Baxter said police have only escorted people out and issued warnings.

Officials are beginning to bring in construction equipment as work begins on the replacement of four western dam segments. Construction will last through October, with the lake remaining closed the entire time.

Tempe Town Lake is scheduled to reopen November 1st.