Granite Reef (Hayden-Rhodes) Aqueduct

Part of: Central Arizona Project

The Granite Reef Aqueduct is a feature of the Central Arizona Project designed to bring Colorado River water into the interior of the state. It consists of 173.9 miles of open, concrete-lined canal, seven major siphons, three tunnels, and three pumping plants. A transmission system links the pumping plants (Bouse Hills, Little Harquahala Mountains, and Hassayampa) to power provided through lines running to Boulder City, Nevada. Construction of the transmission system included the Harcuvar substation in La Paz County and a tap station, the Hassayampa Tap, in Maricopa County.The Granite Reef system is divided into units, or reaches, which facilitated the organization and administration of the various construction phases of the project.

The Granite Reef (Hayden-Rhodes) Aqueduct project provided the unprecedented opportunity for an extended, large-scale archaeological study of the little known desert region of western Arizona. Over a period of five years, data were collected and analyzed from an area exceeding 13,500 hectares (34,000 acres) in size. The project was organized around a series of data recovery tasks and problem oriented analyses which were guided by a consistent, explicit research orientation.

Archaeological investigations of the Granite Reef Aqueduct and Transmission System (GRATS) were initiated in 1968, the year in which construction of the Central Arizona Project was authorized by the Colorado River Basin Act (P.L. 90-537). Two feasibility alignment surveys (Euler 1968; Dittert, Fish and Simonis 1969) provided data for the general programmatic environmental statements for the Central Arizona Project (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 1972). Subsequently more feature specific environmental statements were prepared for various parts of GRATS (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 1973, 1974, 1975) incorporating more detailed archaeological studies (Bair 1974; Bondley and Brooks 1973; Grady 1973; Kemrer, Schultz and Dodge 1972; Renk 1972). As a direct result of the feasibility alignment surveys, further archaeological investigations were carried out as part of mitigation proceedings for three Granite Reef construction features at the time construction was initiated (Larson and others 1976; Reynolds 1974;Rodgers 1977).

As final construction specifications for the Granite Reef project were developed, substantial portions of the aqueduct and transmission line routes were realigned and numerous features were added. Because the actual area affected by the construction differed significantly from the original feasibility alignment, a "resurvey" of virtually the entire project area was required. The "resurveys" were begun in February 1976. Six construction units were investigated individually in two phases, survey and mitigation. A final report was produced for each phase: Reach 5A (Brown 1976d, 1976~1, Reach 5 borrow area (Brown 1976a, 1976b), Reach 6 (Antieau 19771, Reach 9 (Brown 1977a, 1977b), Reach 10 (Brown 1976e, 1976f) and the Salt River Siphon (Brown 1978; Brown and Rogge 1980; Rogge 1977).

By the spring of 1977 it was apparent that this segmented approach did not facilitate either the archaeological research or the construction schedule. Therefore a contracting concept was developed which would at once unify and make more efficient the Granite Reef cultural resources study. The "on call" concept was developed by the Bureau of Reclamation to reconcile the requirements of project scheduling, compliance with federal and state regulations governing cultural resources, and current standards of archaeological research. On October 7, 1977 the Granite Reef "on-call" Cultural Resource Contract Number 8-07-32-V0039 was awarded to the Office of Cultural Resource Management, Arizona State University (ASU).

Because it was not possible to specify the extent of the work to be done under the contract, general guidelines were set up for the scheduling of individual cultural resource study tasks which corresponded to specific construction units. Each task was a self contained subunit of the overall project, initiated by the approval of a budget and scheduling proposal and summarized in an interim report.The subdivided structure of the "on-call" cultural resource study facilitated a multistage approach to the investigation.

The first task specified under the contract was the preparation of a general research design which outlined relevant research problems and detailed data recovery and analysis techniques (Brown and Rice 1978). These basic tenets determined the overall direction of the study although the specific emphasis of the research was continually refined.

As data were accumulated, individual problems were redefined and combined into a more integrated approach. The field and laboratory work proceeded in stages with frequent intervals for the evaluation of results and methods. Each segment of the project area was subjected to the same set of uniform, systematic survey procedures. There followed a period of assessment during which the field data were examined to identify general spatial relationships which could define areas for further study. An interim report describing the survey results and outlining recommendations for mitigation was prepared along with the documentation necessary for evaluation by the SHPO and for seeking eligibility determinations for the National Register of Historic Places. Mitigation procedures varied from task to task depending on the specific resources to be studied and were described in brief interim reports.

Following construction of the Granite Reef (Hayden-Rhodes) Aqueduct, Reclamation established a database of archaeological resources within the CAP right-of-way based on the original Class III survey data. 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. In 2014, Reclamation began hiring cultural resource management firms to revisit and reevaluate archaeological resources located within its right-of-way and obtain up to date data on site eligibility and condition.

Site Name Keywords
AZ T:3:18(ASU) • AZ T:3:16(ASU) • AZ S:6:3(ASU) • AZ T:6:4(ASU) • AZ T:6:2(ASU) • AZ T:5:4(ASU) • AZ T:6:13(ASM) • AZ T:3:19(ASU) • AZ T:6:1(ASU) • AZ T:6:3(ASU)

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

Other Keywords
Tizon Brown Ware • Lower Colorado River Buff Ware • Gila Plainware Ceramics

Culture Keywords
Yuman • Hohokam • Patayan • Historic • Euroamerican • Archaic • Late Archaic • Yavapai • Yuman Complex • Historic Native American

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

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

Temporal Keywords
Prehistoric • Historic Period • Sacaton Phase • Hohokam • Hohokam Colonial period • Hohokam Sedentary period • Gila Butte Phase • Historic • Late Archaic • Modern

Geographic Keywords
Arizona (State / Territory) • United States of America (Country) • North America (Continent) • USA (Country) • Maricopa County (County) • La Paz County (County) • Granite Reef Aqueduct • Harquahala Valley • Hassayampa River • Little Harquahala Mountains

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Agua Fria Energy Storage Project in Peoria, Arizona
  • Agua Fria Energy Storage Project in Peoria, Arizona
    PROJECT Andrew Vorsanger. AES Clean Energy.

    AES proposes to develop the Agua Fria Energy Storage Project adjacent to the Arizona Public Service Company’s Raceway Substation in the City of Peoria, Maricopa County, Arizona. The proposed battery storage facility will be located on private land north of the Raceway Substation, with use of an existing access road within Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) administered land for the Central Arizona Project (CAP), located southeast of the substation. No specific project design for the battery storage...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 1, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 1, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz County, Arizona
    PROJECT Glen Rice. Patricia E. Brown. USDI Bureau Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of Reach 1 and several adjacent roads that would be added or modified for its construction. Reach 1 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 18 miles from the Buckskin Mountain Tunnel, east to the Bouse Hills Pumping Plant. Following the survey, OCRM archaeologists conducted archaeological investigations...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 10, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 10, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office. Donald E. Weaver, Jr.. Patricia E. Brown.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of three discontinuous segments of the Granite Reef Aqueduct route within Reach 10, which had been realigned since the initial archaeological surveys (Dittert, Fish and Simonis 1969; Kemrer, Schultz and Dodge 1972). Reach 10 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 15 miles from New River on the west to the...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 11, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 11, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office. Patricia E. Brown. Glen Rice.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of undisturbed portions of Reach 11 and its associated recreation areas. Reach 11 was previously surveyed in 1969 (Dittert et al. 1969) and 1972 (Kemrer et al. 1972), and one site (AZ U:5:13) was mitigated prior to construction (Reynolds 1974). The majority of Reach 11 had already been constructed when this...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 12, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 12, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office. Glen Rice. Patricia E. Brown.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of Reach 12 and associated access roads. Reach 12 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 11 miles from Taliesin West Architectural School east to Schlechts Butte. Following the survey, OCRM archaeologists conducted archaeological investigations at two sites located along Reach 12 to mitigate the adverse...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 2, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 2, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office. Patricia E. Brown. Glen Rice.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of Reach 2. Reach 2 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 18 miles from the Bouse Hills east to Highway 72, near Vicksburg. Following the survey, OCRM archaeologists conducted archaeological investigations at four sites located along Reach 2 to mitigate the adverse effects of disturbance in the project...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 3, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 3, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office. Glen Rice. Patricia E. Brown.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of Reach 3. Reach 3 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 15 miles from Highway 72, northwest of Vicksburg, southeast to Hovatter Road, south of Interstate 10. Following the survey, OCRM archaeologists conducted archaeological investigations at six sites located along Reach 3 to mitigate the adverse...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 4, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 4, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz County, Arizona
    PROJECT Glen Rice. Patricia E. Brown. USDI Bureau Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of Reach 4 and several access roads that would be modified for its construction. Reach 4 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 14 miles from the Hovatter Road exchange with Interstate 10 to the Centennial Wash Siphon Outlet. Following the survey, OCRM archaeologists conducted archaeological investigations...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 5 Within a Borrow Area, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Yuma and Maricopa Counties, Arizona Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 5A, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Yuma and Maricopa Counties, Arizona Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 5B, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 5B, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
    PROJECT Patricia E. Brown. Glen Rice. USDI Bureau Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of Reach 5B. Reach 5B of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 11 miles from the Buckeye-Salome Road east to the Burnt Mountain Study Area. Following the survey, OCRM archaeologists conducted archaeological investigations at four sites located along Reach 5B to mitigate the adverse effects of disturbance in...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 6, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 6, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of Reach 6, nearby access roads, water detention areas, and a maintenance yard. Reach 6 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 17 miles from Burnt Mountain east to the Belmont Mountains. OCRM archaeologists recommended no further investigations along Reach 6 following survey and surface collection. This...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 7, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 7, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office. Patricia E. Brown. Glen Rice.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of Reach 7, the Hassayampa, Jackrabbit, and Centennial Wash Siphons, and two borrow areas. Reach 7 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 11 miles from the Hassayampa-Wickenburg Road west to the Hassayampa River. Following the survey, OCRM archaeologists conducted archaeological investigations at four sites...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 8, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 8, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office. Glen Rice. Patricia E. Brown.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of Reach 8 and associated access roads. Reach 8 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 13 miles from the Hassayampa River east to U.S. 60. Following the survey, OCRM archaeologists conducted archaeological investigations at two sites and two field loci located along Reach 8 to mitigate the adverse effects...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 9, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along Reach 9, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of the Reach 9 realignment, a detention basin, a waste disposal area, and associated access roads. Reach 9 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 11 miles from U.S. 60 to the New River on the east. Following the initial realignment survey, OCRM archaeologists conducted archaeological investigations at six...

Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along the Bouse Hills-Harcuvar-Little Harquahala 115 kV Transmission Lines, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz County, Arizona Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along the Liberty-Parker-Hassayampa Transmission Line, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, La Paz and Maricopa Counties, Arizona Archaeological Survey and Investigations Along the McCullough-Davis 230 kV Transmission Line, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Clark County, Nevada and Mohave County, Arizona Archaeological Survey and Investigations of the Burnt Mountain and Agua Fria Tunnels, Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County, Arizona Archaeological Survey and Investigations of the Havasu Pumping Plant Borrow Area, Mohave County, Arizona
  • Archaeological Survey and Investigations of the Havasu Pumping Plant Borrow Area, Mohave County, Arizona
    PROJECT USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office. Glen Rice. Patricia E. Brown.

    Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of the Havasu Pumping Plant borrow area of the Granite Reef Aqueduct. The Havasu Pumping Plant borrow area is about 3 miles east of the pumping plant site. The Havasu Pumping Plant lifts water from the Bill Williams arm of Lake Havasu to the Buckskin Mountains Tunnel. Following the survey, OCRM archaeologists...

Class III Cultural Resources Survey and Site Damage Assessment at Arizona Horse Lovers Park, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Class III Cultural Resources Survey and Site Damage Assessment at Arizona Horse Lovers Park, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona
    PROJECT Lourdes Aguila. City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department.

    The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) manages the Arizona Horse Lovers Park facility located within the Reach 11 Recreation Area, owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, in Maricopa County, Arizona. Unauthorized blading associated with vegetation clearing at Horse Lovers Park resulted in surface disturbance within the boundaries of AZ U:5:357(ASM), a prehistoric artifact scatter with features that has been recommended eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic...

Hayden Rhodes Aqueduct Phase IV Small Sites Assessment, Central Arizona Project Canal
  • Hayden Rhodes Aqueduct Phase IV Small Sites Assessment, Central Arizona Project Canal
    PROJECT Bureau of Reclamation.

    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....

The Hayden Rhodes Large Site Resurvey Phase II
  • The Hayden Rhodes Large Site Resurvey Phase II
    PROJECT Erin Davis. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office.

    The Bureau of Reclamation has developed an archaeological site database for the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal main stem based on 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, Logan Simpson Design, Inc. was asked to relocate and record 5 sites that...

The Hayden-Rhodes Large Site Resurvey
  • The Hayden-Rhodes Large Site Resurvey
    PROJECT Scott Courtright. Erin Davis. Bureau of Reclamation.

    The Bureau of Reclamation has developed an archaeological site database for the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal main stem based on 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, Logan Simpson Design, Inc. was asked to relocate and record 16 sites that...