The Bureau of Reclamation recently blocked vehicle access to the popular sports fishery area known as Fortuna Pond. Increased flows on the Gila River have caused the ground water in the area to rise up to the surface. The ground is too saturated and soft to safely park vehicles and recreation equipment without the possibility of getting stuck. It is estimated the pond has risen approximately 2 feet since the Gila River started arriving along this site. Fortuna Pond is still open to the public who want to walk into the area.

Fortuna Pond will be closed to vehicle traffic until the releases out of Painted Rock Dam are reduced and the groundwater level has lowered. That is estimated between 4 to 6 weeks. Reclamation crews will be monitoring the area regularly until it is safe to reopen it to vehicle use. The public is asked to use precaution while in the area and to not go around the barricades.

Fortuna Pond is located approximately 8 miles east of Yuma, Arizona, off the South Gila Levee Road and Avenue 7 East, or Avenue 12 East via the South Gila River Levee Road.