The Central Arizona Project Canal: A Marvel of Water Harvesting in the Desert

🌊The Central Arizona Project Canal brings 500 billion gallons of water from the Colorado River to the Phoenix basin annually.

🏜️The canal unintentionally functions as a water harvesting structure that creates forests and microclimates in the desert.

🌳The canal has led to the growth of native vegetation and trees, providing shade and habitats for various species.

💧Approximately 5 million gallons of water evaporate annually from the canal, and 100 billion gallons are pumped back into the ground for storage.

🌵The Central Arizona Project Canal has transformed the arid landscape of Arizona, enabling the growth of green lawns, agriculture, and urban development.

How much water does the Central Arizona Project Canal bring to Phoenix?

—The canal brings 500 billion gallons of water from the Colorado River to the Phoenix basin annually.

Does the canal have any unintended effects on the environment?

—Yes, the canal unintentionally functions as a water harvesting structure, creating forests and microclimates in the desert.

What happens to the water that evaporates from the canal?

—Approximately 5 million gallons of water evaporate from the canal annually.

Where does the excess water pumped from the canal go?

—Around 100 billion gallons of water are pumped back into the ground for storage.

How has the Central Arizona Project Canal affected Arizona's landscape?

—The canal has transformed the arid landscape, enabling the growth of green lawns, agriculture, and urban development.

00:00The Central Arizona Project Canal is a vital water source for the majority of Arizona's population, bringing 500 billion gallons of water annually from the Colorado River to the Phoenix basin.

02:20The canal unintentionally functions as a water harvesting structure, intercepting runoff and creating forests and microclimates in the desert.

03:55Areas around the canal, such as underneath the mesquite trees, provide a shady oasis with stored moisture and increased fertility.

04:48The canal serves as proof of biological solutions to desert water problems, as it inadvertently demonstrates the harvesting of periodic runoff during heavy rains.

06:53The Central Arizona Project Canal's unintended effects have resulted in diverse habitats, groundwater recharge, and transformation of the arid landscape.