Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) Aqueduct

Part of: Central Arizona Project

The Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) Aqueduct is a feature of the Central Arizona Project designed to bring Colorado River water into the interior of the state. It consists of 57.5 miles of open, concrete-lined canal, one major siphon, and four pumping plants. A transmission system links the pumping plants (Salt-Gila, Brady, Picacho, and Red Rock) to power provided by the Navajo Generating Station, near Page, Arizona. The Salt-Gila system is divided into four units, or reaches, which facilitated the organization and administration of the various construction phases of the project. Reach 1 ran from the Salt-Gila Pumping Plant to an area just south of US 60. Reach 2 extended from the terminus at Reach 1 south to Queen Creek. Reach 3 began on the northern banks of Queen Creek and traveled south to the Gila River, just west of Ashurst-Hayden Diversion Dam. Reach 4 extended from the Gila River south to its terminus near the Picacho Mountains.

The Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) Aqueduct project provided the unprecedented opportunity for an extended, large-scale archaeological study of the later periods of Hohokam occupation and of the little known Archaic occupation of central Arizona. The project was organized around a series of tasks and problem oriented analyses that were guided by a consistent, explicit research orientation.

Archaeological investigations of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct began in 1968, the year in which construction of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) was authorized by the Colorado River Basin Act (P.L. 90-537). Two feasibility alignment surveys (Dittert, Fish and Simonis 1969; Kayser and Fiero 1969) provided data for the general programmatic environmental statements on the Central Arizona Project (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 1972). These data were supplemented by two additional survey and evaluative testing projects (Grady 1973; Stein 1979) completed by the Arizona State Museum (ASM). Ultimately the ASM undertook a massive data recovery project at 45 sites along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct, the results of which were published in a nine volume series (ASM Archaeological Series 150) that was completed in 1985.

Following construction of the Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) 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 2005, 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 U:15:102(ASM) • AZ U:10:14(ASM) • AZ U:10:6(ASM) • AZ U:15:19(ASM) • AZ U:15:76(ASM) • AZ U:15:77(ASM) • AZ U:10:5(ASM) • AZ U:15:46(ASM) • AZ U:15:57(ASM) • AZ U:15:87(ASM)

Site Type Keywords
Archaeological Feature • Artifact Scatter • Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex • Settlements • Roasting Pit / Oven / Horno • Rock Alignment • Resource Extraction / Production / Transportation Structure or Features • Hamlet / Village • Agricultural or Herding • Non-Domestic Structures

Other Keywords
Fannin-McFarland Aqueduct • Central Arizona Project • Salt-Gila Aqueduct • Flake • Knife • Debitage • Chopper • Projectile Point • Metate • Mano

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

Investigation Types
Archaeological Overview • Site Evaluation / Testing • Site Stewardship Monitoring • Systematic Survey • Heritage Management • Data Recovery / Excavation • Methodology, Theory, or Synthesis • Research Design / Data Recovery Plan • Reconnaissance / Survey • Records Search / Inventory Checking

Material Types
Ceramic • Chipped Stone • Fire Cracked Rock • Ground Stone • Building Materials • Metal • Shell • Glass • Wood • Macrobotanical

Temporal Keywords
Santa Cruz Phase • Sacaton Phase • Colonial Period • Sedentary Period • Prehistoric • Classic Period • Historic • Formative Period • Archaic Period • Hohokam Colonial period

Geographic Keywords
Arizona (State / Territory) • United States of America (Country) • North America (Continent) • Pinal County (County) • USA (Country) • Arizona • Salt-Gila Aqueduct • Maricopa County (County) • 04999 (Fips Code) • Queen Creek

Resources Inside This Collection (Viewing 1-42 of 42)

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 Individual Resources
  • An Archaeological Analysis of the Proposed Florence Water Treatment Plant (1987)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text William S. Marmaduke. T. S. Hartzell.

    In 1987, the Bureau of Reclamation directed Northland Research, Inc. to complete a Class I and III cultural resource literature search and survey for the proposed site of the Florence Water Treatment Plant and its associated delivery lines, an element of the Central Arizona Project located near the Salt-Gila Aqueduct. Three archaeological loci representing Hohokam use of the area were recorded in or near the project area. In order to evaluate the loci within the context of the intensive site...

  • An Archaeological Survey of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct (1973)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Mark Grady.

    The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) directed the Arizona State Museum to conduct a cultural resources survey of the Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) Aqueduct as part of its environmental assessment of the impacts of the proposed Central Arizona Project. Twenty-two archaeological sites and two major areas of cultural activity were identified during the survey. Of these sites, 19 were recommended for further investigation and 5 were suggested for clearance (not eligible for the NRHP). The...

  • An Archaeological Survey of the Tucson Aqueducts, Central Arizona Project (1969)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text D. W. Kayser. D. C. Fiero.

    The Central Arizona Project (CAP) was authorized by the Colorado River Basin Act (P.L. 90-537) in 1968. The following year, the Cultural Resources Management Division of the Arizona State Museum conducted a survey of the preliminary alignment of the Tucson Aqueduct and portions of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct for the Bureau of Reclamation and under a National Park Service contract. The feasibility alignment extended 140 miles from the abandoned town of Charleston, north to the Gila River. The field...

  • Archeological Investigations Along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct (1979)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Pat H. Stein.

    In 1978, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) directed the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) to complete an intensive archaeological survey of the proposed alignment for the Salt-Gila Aqueduct, a feature of the Central Arizona Project. The survey area was 11,115 acres and included the 60 mile-long transmission line (with a typical width of 200 meters), three proposed utility line locations, one flood retention dike location, 11 possible spoil or realignment areas, and a subsidence well....

  • A Cultural Inventory of the Proposed Granite Reef and Salt-Gila Aqueducts, Agua Fria River to Gila River, Arizona (1969)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Alfred E. Dittert. Paul R. Fish. Don E. Simonis.

    The Central Arizona Project (CAP) was authorized by the Colorado River Basin Act (P.L. 90-537) in 1968. The following year, the Department of Anthropology at Arizona State University conducted a survey of the preliminary alignment of the Granite Reef Aqueduct and portions of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct for the Bureau of Reclamation under a National Park Service contract. The feasibility alignment extended from the Agua Fria River, southeast to the Gila River and was divided into eight sections: four...

  • Mitigation Plan for the Salt-Gila Aqueduct (1979)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Pat H. Stein.

    In 1978, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) directed the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) to complete an intensive archaeological survey of the proposed alignment for the Salt-Gila Aqueduct, a feature of the Central Arizona Project. The survey area was 11,115 acres and included the 60 mile-long transmission line (with a typical width of 200 meters), three proposed utility line locations, one flood retention dike location, 11 possible spoil or realignment areas, and a subsidence well....

Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) Aqueduct Central Arizona Project Mapping and Assessment
  • Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) Aqueduct Central Arizona Project Mapping and Assessment
    PROJECT 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 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...

  • Salt-Gila (Fannin-McFarland) Aqueduct Central Arizona Project Mapping and Assessment: Photolog (2009)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text 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...

  • 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...

Salt-Gila Aqueduct (Fannin-McFarland Aqueduct) Archaeological Data Collection Studies and Supplemental Class III Survey Project
  • Salt-Gila Aqueduct (Fannin-McFarland Aqueduct) Archaeological Data Collection Studies and Supplemental Class III Survey Project
    PROJECT USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office.

    This project presents a series of publications associated with the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Archaeological Data Collection Studies and Supplemental Class III Survey Project (SGA). The research focused on data recovery at those sites potentially subject to impact as a consequence of Central Arizona Project construction. Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project construction occured along a route extending 97 km from a point south of Apache Junction, Arizona, to the Picacho Reservoir. Significant...

  • Hohokam Archaeology along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project, Volume I: Research Design (1982)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Uploaded by: system user

    This volume is the first in a series of publications associated with the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Archaeological Data Collection Studies and Supplemental Class 3 Survey Project (SGA). The project focuses principally upon data recovery at those sites potentially subject to impact as a consequence of Central Arizona Project construction along a route extending 97 km from a point south of Apache Junction, Arizona, to the Picacho Reservoir. This initial volume incorporates the results of test excavations...

  • Hohokam Archaeology along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project, Volume II: Supplemental Archaeological Survey (1982)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Uploaded by: system user

    This is the second volume in the series of reports on archaeology conducted for the United States Bureau of Reclamation along the route of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct, a component of the Central Arizona Project designed to transport water a distance of 58 miles from east of Phoenix to the vicinity of the Picacho Mountains in Arizona. The project is largely concerned with data recovery at sites identified during previous surveys of the aqueduct alignment. However, as actual construction of the...

  • Hohokam Archaeology along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project, Volume III: Specialized Activity Sites (1983)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Uploaded by: system user

    This volume is the third in a nine volume series reporting the results of archaeological investigations conducted along the right-of-way of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct. The aqueduct, under construction by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), is part of the Central Arizona Project. The emphasis of this volume is directed toward specialized activity sites, most of which relate to wild plant or lithic processing or agriculture. All are located along Reaches 1 through 4 of the aqueduct, from just south...

  • Hohokam Archaeology along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project, Volume IV: Prehistoric Occupation of the Queen Creek Delta (1984)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Uploaded by: Leigh Anne Ellison

    This is the fourth volume in a nine-volume series that reports archaeological investigations along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct in southcentral Arizona. The aqueduct, under construction by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is a 58-mile-long component of the Central Arizona Project; it begins east of Phoenix and extends to the vicinity of the Picacho Mountains. This volume reports excavations conducted at the three largest sites located north of the Gila River in the Aqueduct study area. All will be...

  • Hohokam Archaeology along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project, Volume IX: Synthesis and Conclusions (1984)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Uploaded by: Leigh Anne Ellison

    This volume is the last in a series of nine reporting the work of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project Archaeological Data Collection Studies and Supplemental Class 3 Survey Project (SGA). This study was funded by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Contract No. 0-0732- V0101) to mitigate potential adverse impacts of Central Arizona Project construction on cultural resources in the aqueduct right-of-way. Data recovery was conducted at 45 Hohokam sites along a 93 km (58 mile) transect...

  • Hohokam Archaeology along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project, Volume V: Small Habitation Sites on Queen Creek (1983)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Uploaded by: system user

    This volume includes reports of archaeological mitigation activities undertaken at sltes located along the route of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct (SGA), Central Arizona Project, under contract No. 0-07-32V0101 from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. This is the fifth volume of a nine volume series. The aqueduct, under construction by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is a 58-mile-long component of the Central Arizona Project beginning east of Phoenix and extending to the vicinity of the Picacho Mountains....

  • Hohokam Archaeology along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project, Volume VI: Habitation Sites on the Gila River (1983)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Uploaded by: Leigh Anne Ellison

    Archaeological investigations of eight prehistoric habitation sites located along the route of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct near the town of Florence are reported in this volume. Of the riverine habitation sites included in this report, two require some additional explanation as to why they are considered in this site category. Sites AZ U:15:84 and AZ U:15:88 were vestiges, or small parts, of larger habitation sites located nearby that were recorded during earlier reconnaisance survey and field...

  • Hohokam Archaeology along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project, Volume VII: Environment and Subsistence (1984)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Lynn S. Teague. Patricia L. Crown.

    This is the seventh volume of a nine-volume series reporting archaeological investigations in south-central Arizona along the SaltGila Aqueduct (SGA), conducted for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) under Contract No. 0-07-32-V0101. The SGA is a 58-mile-Iong component of the Central Arizona Project that begins east of Phoenix and extends to the vicinity of the Picacho Mountains. During the course of the analyses presented in this volume, it became apparent that any attempt to approach...

  • Hohokam Archaeology along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Central Arizona Project, Volume VIII: Material Culture (1984)
    DOCUMENT Full-Text Uploaded by: Leigh Anne Ellison

    This is the eighth volume of a nine-volume series reporting archaeological investigations in south-central Arizona along the SaltGila Aqueduct (SGA), conducted for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) under Contract No. 0-07-32-V0101. The SGA is a 58-mile-Iong component of the Central Arizona Project that begins east of Phoenix and extends to the vicinity of the Picacho Mountains. Specialized analyses of artifacts recovered from 45 sites excavated along the SGA are reported in this volume. The...