Consolidated Canal, Old South Consolidated Power Plant - AZ-55-A - South side of the Salt River, Approximately two miles downriver from Granite Reef Dam, Mesa vicinity, Maricopa County, Arizona - Written Historical and Descriptive Data, Photographs

Summary

Portions of the power plant and waterway features remain at the site and have been incorporated into the Arizona Primate Institute.

The Old South Consolidated Power Plant was the first of three low-head hydroelectric generating stations constructed in the Salt River Valley after operation of the SRP were taken over by the Salt River Valley Water Users Association.

In the early part of the 20th century, the surface water to the Salt River Valley was not adequate enough to respond to the constantly growing demands for additional water delivery to the lands under the Salt River Project. Some farmers tapped the groundwater fields to augment their water supply, however power for pumping underground water was very expensive due to the high costs of fuel oil. The need for additional power to pump supplemental groundwater was increasing and the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association (SRVWUA) was interested in supplying that need with low-cost hydroelectric power. As power from the Roosevelt Plant was transmitted to the area, the opportunities for low-head hydropower production at viable locations along the SRP canal system were considered.

In 1911, operations management of the SRP water and power systems was transferred from the United States Reclamation Service (USRS) to the SRVWUA. The South Consolidated Power Plant was the first of three low-head hydroelectric structures to be erected and put into service under the new administration. The new plant was sited on the south bank of the Salt River, in Section 22, Township Two North, Range Six East, some 50 feet from the old intake of the Consolidated Canal and near the point where the early South Canal emptied into the Main Consolidated. A series of intake and by-pass channels were designed to facilitate maximum control of the water flow into or around the plant.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Salt River Project Digital Library

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Daniel Garcia

Record Identifiers

HAER No.(s): AZ-55-A

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