BUDDING CIVILIZATION OF ARIZONA 



The Salt river is the largest tributary of the Gila. It 

 lias been the scene of active irrigation enterprise since 

 18G7, but particularly during the last ten years. It is an 

 interesting fact that the works first built followed the 

 lines of prehistoric canals. Reclamation has been ex- 

 tended to both sides of the valley, but cultivation is 

 oldest and much the most extensive on the northern 

 side, around Phoonix. Here a number of canals were 

 consolidated into a single system, the managers of which 

 have made improvements and extensions year by year, 

 and gradually evolved a work of great perfection and 

 completeness. 



On the south side of the river a similar consolidation 

 has occurred. Here settlement was begun in 1878 by 

 Mormon colonists, who founded the charming place now 

 known as Mesa City. There are several independent 

 irrigation systems upon this side of the valley, the most 

 important of which is the Highland Canal, which runs 

 along a high level and waters thirty thousand acres of 

 valuable land. Water-power is obtained in connection 

 with the irrigation canals on both sides of the valley, 

 and electrical power is applied both to lighting and 

 transportation. 



Tributaries of the Salt river flowing from the moun- 

 tains on the north, notably the Rio Verde and the Agua 

 Fria, will furnish water for new and large enterprises. 

 Storage is the feature of these works, and reservoirs 

 have been constructed in a number of instances. Both 

 on the upper and lower courses of the Gila river im- 

 portant irrigation canals are planned, and a number 

 have been completed. Much difficulty has been experi- 

 enced in building enduring dams along this erratic 



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