What those strange things are on the corners in the Phoenix, Arizona area


If you've ever wondered what those things are that are on corners all over the Phoenix, Arizona area, they're called water turnout gates. 


The water comes from the Salt River, which begins as snowmelt up in northern Arizona, which has been used to grow things in the valley since the days of the Hohokam people (hundreds of years). Contrary to popular belief, this irrigation water doesn't come from hundreds of miles away, through aqueducts, it flows right through Phoenix, and has been doing it since the end of last Ice Age, 10,000 years ago.



It's a simple gravity system. Take a look at a map and find the mountains northeast of Phoenix. Now run your finger along where the water flows when the snow melts, which is down into the Sonoran Desert. The Phoenix metro area is in the Sonoran Desert, which tilts slightly down towards the southwest.

Now go find the Roosevelt Dam - it's east of Scottsdale, and then find the Arizona Canal. Follow the canal west until you get to 67th Avenue in Peoria, Arizona. Now turn south. The canal continues flowing the west, but there are laterals (which are kind of mini-canals) that take the water south. The lateral where I took the photo this morning of the water turnout gate runs along 67th Avenue.

When irrigation water is needed, the gates are turned and the water flows west. This is called "flood irrigation", and you see it in most parks, and in many old neighborhoods. Sometimes when you're driving by you'll see water splashing out of them, and as I ride by I can hear the roar of the water in them.

By the way, if you've lived in Phoenix for a long time you may remember when they had beautiful rock facings on them, and in some older areas they're still like that. Here's one I found this morning along 67th Avenue just north of Peoria Avenue:


They're owned by SRP, the power and water company, whose full name is the Salt River Project. And it's been a successful project for over 100 years!



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Comments

  1. DBNovember 4, 2021 at 2:57 PM

    Thank you so much for this article! My wife and I moved to Peoria a year ago and could not figure out what those things were on the street corners. We could hear the water running through them but didn't know what they were or what they were used for. I'm guessing they are used to keep parks green?? I've seen some parks turn into pools at times to water the grass. Is that what these gates are used for? Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brad HallNovember 4, 2021 at 3:04 PM

      Glad you like it! Yep, keeping everything here green for over 100 years!

      Delete

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