Tag Archive: colorado river

All-American Canal – Imperial Valley – California

All-American Canal - Imperial Valley - California

A view of the All-American Canal in Southeast California. The All American Canal, constructed in 1930’s, is the longest irrigation aqueduct  in the world. bringing water from the Colorado River north of Yuma, Arizona, to the Imperial Valley of California. The canal irrigates over 600,000 acres of farmland, which serves as a prime source of American agricultural products during the winter months. Communities served by the canal include, Brawley, Calexico, El Centro, Imperial. Before irrigation was brought to the Imperial Valley it was one of the driest places in the world.

Parker Dam – Lake Havasu – California

Parker Dam - Lake Havasu - California

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A view of Parker Dam, which is responsible for Lake Havasu on the Colorado River between Arizona and California. The dam is 320 feet high, 235 feet of it buried below the riverbed. The dam was completed in 1938. Lake Havasu provides a water source  for both California’s Colorado River Aqueduct, as well the  Central Arizona Project Aqueduct, which provides agricultural and municipal water to Tucson and Phoenix.  The dam also produces a limited amount of hydroelectric power.

Sandstone Cave in Stormy Weather – Moab – Utah

Sandstone Cave in Stormy Weather - Moab - Utah

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This view comes from a failed attempt to build modern “cliff dwelling” in the famous sandstone cliffs of southern Utah. As the story goes, the man who constructed this was doing it in violation of Bureau of Land Management rules, and to make matters worse, the sandstone was of a variety to soft for hazard free living. Evidence within the cave makes it clear the structure will eventually cave in on itself. In any event it made for a nice shelter from a spring storm outside of Moab. In the distance you can see the storm clouds approaching and the green fields of a farm that hugs the banks of the Colorado River. The fields, the storm, cave opening and sandstone all made for a beautiful contrast.

See more images from the Colorado River watershed.