Granite Reef Diversion Dam
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The Granite Reef Diversion Dam is a concrete diversion dam located 22 miles (35 km) Northeast of Phoenix, Arizona, on the Salt River. The dam is 1,000 feet (300 m) long, 29 feet (8.8 m) high and was built between 1906 and 1908 for the Salt River Project, who currently operates the dam. It replaced the older Arizona Dam which was washed out in a flood in 1905. 33°30′58″N 111°41′28″W / 33.51611°N 111.69111°W
The dam diverts most all water in the Salt River into the Arizona and South Canals serving metropolitan Phoenix with irrigation and drinking water. The Salt River below Granite Reef is usually dry except following consistent and heavy upstream precipitation. When upstream lakes are full, minor and moderate releases are accomplished via floodgates at either end of the dam. The dam is designed to be overtopped by major releases, which can occur every 10 to 40 years.
The dam is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and operated by the Salt River Project.
References
- official SRP web site on Granite Reef Dam: http://www.srpnet.com/water/dams/granitereef.aspx
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation description page
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