Photos: Central Arizona Project canal construction in 1979
Construction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct in Western Arizona in June, 1979. The canal supplies the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with Colorado River water. Construction began 1973 and was substantially complete by 1994.
Construction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct in Western Arizona in June, 1979. The canal supplies the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with Colorado River water.
6/9/1979 Central Arizona Project construction. Photo by Joan Rennick / CitizenConstruction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct in Western Arizona in June, 1979. The canal supplies the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with Colorado River water.
6/9/1979 Central Arizona Project construction. Photo by Joan Rennick / CitizenConstruction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct in Western Arizona in June, 1979. The canal supplies the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with Colorado River water.
Construction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct in Western Arizona in June, 1979. The canal supplies the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with Colorado River water.
6/9/1979 Central Arizona Project construction. Construction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct in Western Arizona in June, 1979. The canal supplies the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with Colorado River water.
6/9/1979 Central Arizona Project construction. Photo by Joan Rennick / CitizenConstruction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct in Western Arizona in June, 1979. The canal supplies the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with Colorado River water.
Construction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct in Western Arizona in June, 1979. The canal supplies the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with Colorado River water.
Construction of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct in Western Arizona in June, 1979. The canal supplies the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with Colorado River water.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Last year's heavy Colorado River runoff and some Arizona conservation efforts have improved next year's outlook for the Central Arizona Project, which supplies Tucson's drinking water.
The study's dire projections mean we shouldn't wait to make additional cuts to water use until negotiators finish new operating guidelines for the Colorado River in 2025, many experts say.
But some Tucson-area water providers say they can survive a major shortage without having to return to heavy pumping because they have bought more Central Arizona Project water than they use in a year.
The state's groundwater supplies are threatened by overpumping that's legal in localized areas, Arizona State University study finds.
Pinal County farmers will lose about 40% of their Central Arizona Project water in 2022.
Tucson’s 'gray water' program failing to produce resultsFor Star subscribers: A recent city study showed that fewer than 30 residents said they’re taking advantage of the decade-old initiative to re-use some of their household water for landscaping. The program pays homeowners up to $1,000 to purchase needed equipment.
For Star subscribers: As concerns mount across the West about dwindling Colorado River water supplies, a series of new water conservation requirements may be imposed on residential and business development in Tucson starting next year. Here are the details.
For Star subscribers: A state water board agreed Tuesday to start talks with company that wants to build a $5.5 billion desalination plant in Sonora and pipe water to Arizona.