Central Arizona Project

Part of: USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office (PXAO)

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Arizona Project (CAP) collection presents results of the extensive cultural resource investigations conducted during the planning, construction, and maintenance of the project’s water delivery systems and associated infrastructure. The wide scope and expansive scale of CAP archaeology represent an impressive and now integral contribution to Southwestern archaeology, and much of the work changed and challenged many conceptions of Arizona’s prehistory. The collection’s materials are organized according to the CAP’s water delivery systems and other structures. Within each of these delivery system collections, materials are further divided into archaeological projects and tasks that were conducted to investigate cultural resources

The CAP is a multipurpose water resource development and management project that provides irrigation, municipal and industrial water, power, flood control, outdoor recreation, environmental enhancement and sediment control. The project also provides delivery of Tribal homeland water, partial settlement of Indian water rights claims, and economic benefits accruing from the leasing of Indian agricultural water rights to municipal entities. Water is provided to lands in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties, and to several communities, including the metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson. Authorization also was included for development of facilities to deliver water to Catron, Hidalgo, and Grant Counties in New Mexico. In addition to water delivery systems, the CAP includes power generation infrastructure, principally participation in the Navajo Generation Station and a transmission system to supply power to pumping plants and check structures of the Hayden-Rhodes, Fannin-McFarland and Tucson aqueducts

For administration and construction purposes, the CAP was divided into the Granite Reef, Orme, Salt-Gila, Gila River, Tucson, and the Indian and Non-Indian Distribution divisions. During project construction, the Orme Division was re-formulated and renamed the Regulatory Storage Division; it includes New Waddell Dam and Camp Dyer Diversion Dam. Upon completion, the Granite Reef Division was re-named the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct, and the Salt-Gila Division was renamed the Fannin-McFarland Aqueduct.

The CAP was authorized by the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968. Construction of the project began in 1973 with the award of a contract for the Havasu Intake Channel Dike and excavation for the Havasu Pumping Plant (Mark Wilmer Pumping Plant) on the shores of Lake Havasu. Construction of the other project features followed. The backbone aqueduct system, which runs about 336 miles from Lake Havasu to a terminus southwest of Tucson, was declared substantially complete in 1993. The new and modified dams constructed as part of the project were declared substantially complete in 1994. All of the non-Indian agricultural water distribution systems were completed in the late 1980s, as were most of the municipal water delivery systems. Several Indian distribution systems are either under construction or remain to be built; it is estimated that full development of these systems could require another 20 years or longer.

When authorized, the plan included the construction of Hooker Dam and Buttes Dam on the Gila River to provide conservation storage, flood and sediment control, and recreation opportunities, and the construction of Orme Dam at the junction of the Salt and Verde Rivers to provide flood protection and water conservation. None of these facilities were built. Although authorized, Buttes Dam and Hooker Dam on the Gila River (in New Mexico) and Charleston Dam on the San Pedro River were not constructed because of cost considerations, a lack of demand for the water, lack of repayment capability by the users, and environmental constraints. To fulfill the authorized functions of Orme Dam, Plan 6 was developed. Plan 6 is the Regulatory Storage Division of the project and includes New Waddell Dam and Camp Dryer Diversion Dam located on the Agua Fria River, a tributary of the Gila River, and a modified Roosevelt and Stewart Mountain dams on the Salt River. These two dams predate the project and have been modified for safety and increased storage capacity.

Site Name Keywords
AZ T:4:150(ASM) • AZ U:10:14(ASM) • AZ U:15:102(ASM) • AZ AA:3:49(ASM) • AZ T:4:156(ASM) • AZ T:4:157(ASM) • AZ U:6:2(ASU) • AZ AA:3:21(ASM) • AZ AA:3:26(ASM) • AZ U:10:5(ASM)

Site Type Keywords
Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex • Domestic Structures • Archaeological Feature • Artifact Scatter • Resource Extraction / Production / Transportation Structure or Features • Settlements • Agricultural or Herding • Hamlet / Village • Rock Alignment • Rock Art

Other Keywords
Historic Ranching • Damage Assessment

Culture Keywords
Hohokam • Historic • Euroamerican • Historic Native American • Archaic • Late Archaic • Yavapai • PaleoIndian • Early Archaic • Middle Archaic

Investigation Types
Site Stewardship Monitoring • Heritage Management • Archaeological Overview • Systematic Survey • Reconnaissance / Survey • Site Evaluation / Testing • Data Recovery / Excavation • Records Search / Inventory Checking

Material Types
Ground Stone • Ceramic • Chipped Stone • Metal • Building Materials • Glass • Fauna • Fire Cracked Rock • Macrobotanical • Pollen

Temporal Keywords
Prehistoric • Historic Period • Protohistoric Period • Historic • Hohokam Colonial period • Hohokam Early Classic period • Gila Butte Phase • Colonial Period • Ceramic Period • Archaic Period

Geographic Keywords
Arizona (State / Territory) • United States of America (Country) • North America (Continent) • USA (Country) • Yavapai County (County) • Maricopa County (County) • Lake Pleasant Regional Park • US (ISO Country Code) • Arizona • Agua Fria River

Resources Inside This Collection (Viewing 1-23 of 23)

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Archaeological Assessment of 16 Sites at Lake Pleasant Regional Park Cultural Resource Assessment of 13 Sites in Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Yavapai County, Arizona
  • Cultural Resource Assessment of 13 Archaeological Sites Located in Lake Pleasant Regional Park: Select Photos (2006)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd..

    In the mid-1990s, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) completed a survey of Lake Pleasant Regional Park. The survey was undertaken to identify all cultural resources within the Park, which was acquired by Reclamation as part of construction of New Waddell Dam. In the intervening years, the Park has seen continued and increasing recreational use. In the 11 years since it completed the survey of the Park, Reclamation has monitored activity at nine of the 183 sites in the Park with the...

Cultural Resources Assessment of 117 Archaeological Sites for the Fannin-McFarland and Tucson Aqueducts, Central Arizona Project Canal, Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima Counties, Arizona Cultural Resources Assessment of 22 Archaeological Sites Located Along Reaches 1 and 2 of the Fannin-McFarland Portion of the CAP Canal Cultural Resources Assessment of 23 Archaeological Sites Located Along Reach 3 of the Fannin-McFarland Portion of the CAP Canal Cultural Resources Assessment of 28 Archaeological Sites Located Along Reach 4 of the Fannin-McFarland Portion of the CAP Canal Cultural Resources Assessment of 39 Sites in the Agua Fria Conservation Area Cultural Resources Assessment of 59 Archaeological Sites Located Along Reaches 1 and 2 of the Tucson Aqueduct (Phase A) A Cultural Resources Survey of 1,420 Acres Along the Lower San Pedro River, North of Benson
  • A Cultural Resources Survey of 1,420 Acres Along the Lower San Pedro River, North of Benson: Photos (2002)
    IMAGE Lisa Champagne. Chad Badorek.

    The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) directed Archaeological Consulting Service, Ltd. (ACS) to complete a Class III cultural resources survey of 1,420 acres along the lower San Pedro River. Reclamation, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy, plans to acquire this land and designate it a conservation easement as mitigation for the destruction of riparian habitat during construction of the Central Arizona Project fish barriers. ACS conducted a Class III cultural resources survey of the...

Cultural Resources Survey of 34 Acres Along Fossil Creek Damage Assessment of AZ T:4:157(ASM) and AZ T:4:156(ASM) in Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Yavapai County, Arizona Hayden Rhodes Aqueduct Phase IV Small Sites Assessment, Central Arizona Project Canal
  • Hayden Rhodes Aqueduct Phase IV Small Sites Assessment, Central Arizona Project Canal: Photos (2018)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd.. Walter R. Punzmann.

    The Phoenix Area Office (PXAO), Reclamation, maintains an archaeological site database for the Central Arizona Project (CAP) main stem canal. The data base was developed using all the previous main stem survey data and previously recorded sites. While many sites have been determined eligible or not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (Register), some have not received eligibility determinations and some are located outside of the construction corridor and not impacted....

Homesteading and Ranching in the Vicinity of Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Maricopa and Yavapai Counties, Arizona
  • Homesteading and Ranching in the Vicinity of Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Maricopa and Yavapai Counties, Arizona: Select Photos (2007)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd..

    The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) identified the need for an in-depth study of ranching and homesteading in Lake Pleasant Regional Park (LPRP). At Reclamation’s request, Archaeological Consulting Services (ACS) undertook this current study, which builds upon previous research and investigations sponsored by Reclamation that indicated that the ranching history was an important historic context for the area. This project includes: (1) archival research into the history of ranching in the...

Lake Pleasant 52 Sites Relocation
  • Lake Pleasant 52 Sites Relocation: Select Photos (2010)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd..

    In August and September 2010, Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd. (ACS) re-visited 52 sites in Lake Pleasant Regional Park to relocate the sites and assess their conditions. This record contains select photos that document the relocation work.

Lake Pleasant 8 Sites Relocation
  • Lake Pleasant 8 Sites Relocation: Select Photos (2012)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd..

    In January 2012, Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd. (ACS) re-visited 8 sites in Lake Pleasant Regional Park to relocate the sites and to assess their conditions. This record contains select photos that document the relocation work.

Lake Pleasant Condition Assessments for 41 Sites
  • Lake Pleasant Condition Assessments for 41 Sites: Select Photos (2009)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd..

    In November and December 2009, Archaeological Consulting Services, Inc. (ACS) re-visited 41 known archaeological sites in Lake Pleasant Regional Park. ACS archaeologists documented and assessed the condition of the sites. This record includes select photos from the assessment work.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park Cultural Resources Management Plan
  • Lake Pleasant Regional Park Cultural Resource Management Plan: Selected Photos (2002)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd..

    In 2004, Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd. (ACS) produced the Cultural Resources Management Plan for Lake Pleasant Regional Park to provide management recommendations to Maricopa County, AZ and the Bureau of Reclamation. The project synthesized information about the cultural resources in the park, and set forth policies and procedures to protect and manage them efficiently. The following images are selected photos taken during the course of the project. Please see image photo log...

Phase 1 Investigations at AZ T:4:150(ASM), a Multicomponent Rockshelter at Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Yavapai County, Arizona
  • Phase 1 Investigations at AZ T:4:150(ASM), A Multicomponent Rockshelter: Select Photos of Coring and Testing (2009)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd..

    At the request of the Bureau of Reclamation–Phoenix Area Office (PXAO), ACS conducted Phase 1 cultural resource assessments and investigations at AZ T:4:150(ASM), a multicomponent rockshelter site in Lake Pleasant Regional Park, in 2008. The site was being impacted by increased visitation and Reclamation is seeking to mitigate those impacts. ACS archaeologists completed surface collection, mapping, and soil coring at the site. These investigations confirmed that the site held the potential to...

  • Phase 1 Investigations at AZ T:4:150(ASM), A Multicomponent Rockshelter: Select Photos of Surface Collection (2009)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd..

    At the request of the Bureau of Reclamation–Phoenix Area Office (PXAO), ACS conducted Phase 1 cultural resource assessments and investigations at AZ T:4:150(ASM), a multicomponent rockshelter site in Lake Pleasant Regional Park, in 2008. The site was being impacted by increased visitation and Reclamation is seeking to mitigate those impacts. ACS archaeologists completed surface collection, mapping, and soil coring at the site. These investigations confirmed that the site held the potential to...

Phase 2 Data Recovery at AZ T:4:150(ASM), a Multicomponent Rockshelter at Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Yavapai County, Arizona
  • Phase 2 Data Recovery Investigations at AZ T:4:150(ASM), A Multicomponent Rockshelter: Select Photos (2010)
    IMAGE Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd..

    ACS conducted Phase 2 data recovery at the Lake Pleasant Rockshelter site (AZ T:4:150[ASM]) in 2010 at the request of the Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office. The proposed work plan for Phase 2 (Pinter et al. 2009) was accepted by Reclamation, and was implemented in two sessions due to inclement weather and rising lake levels. The first session occurred in January 2010, followed by a hiatus to allow the lake level to drop and the weather to cool; the second and final session occurred in...

Relocation, Reassessment, and Remapping of 74 Archaeological Sites Located Along Reaches 3, 4, and 5 of the Tucson Aqueduct (Phase B) Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) Aqueduct Central Arizona Project Mapping and Assessment
  • Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) Aqueduct Central Arizona Project Mapping and Assessment: Photos (2009)
    IMAGE Linda Schilling.

    The Bureau of Reclamation has developed an archaeological site database for the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal main stem based on the Class III survey data that includes all previously recorded sites. An unknown number of these sites were either destroyed by construction or excavation, while others are no longer located within the CAP right-of-way (ROW). To assist Reclamation in checking the accuracy of its site database, Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd. (ACS) was asked to revisit a...

San Xavier Central Arizona Project Extension: Archaeological Investigations At AZ BB:13:16(ASM)-Locus F, Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation, San Xavier District, Pima County, Arizona