The South Canal, pictured here in 1936, was constructed between 1907 and 1909 and helped to unify SRP’s southside canal system. It also developed into an important canal for hydropower generation.

Pictured here circa the 1940s, Arizona Falls is on the Arizona Canal, located approximately at 56th Street and Indian School Road. Today, the site not only generates hydroelectric power for SRP customers but is also a unique art installation open to the public.

Completed in 1913, the New Crosscut Canal connects the Arizona and Grand canals. The Old Crosscut canal was built earlier (between 1888 and 1889), but a flood in 1905 caused significant damage to the old canal structure. The New Crosscut was moved 2 miles to the east to take advantage of a steep drop in elevation with hydropower potential. The exact date of this photo is unknown but we believe it's from the '50s or '60s.

Shown here circa the 1940s, the Tempe canal was first constructed between 1871 and 1872, though it was expanded several times. The Tempe Canal was also the last canal built by an independent canal company to become a part of SRP’s system, which occurred in 1923.

The Arizona Canal is the longest at over 38 miles. Amazingly, this huge canal was constructed in just two years between 1883 and 1885. Work crews had to move their camps as work progressed due to the canal’s immense length. This photo was taken in 1953.

Pictured here in 1956, The Grand Canal Co. began constructing the Grand Canal in 1878, to develop the Valley. The Grand Canal Co.’s articles of incorporation even stated that its purpose was aimed at supplying “water for agricultural, milling, manufacturing and mechanical purposes” via an irrigating canal and related infrastructure.

Dr. A.J. Chandler was a co-founder of the Consolidated Canal Co., which oversaw the canal’s construction. Pictured here circa the 1940s, the Consolidated Canal incorporated parts of another structure known as the Mesa Canal and runs 18 miles through Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler.

The Eastern Canal helped to develop parts of the East Valley by providing vital water for agricultural and other uses. The Eastern replaced the older Highland Canal which had fallen into disuse by the early 1900s. The canal was 12 years old here.

Shown here in 1949, Construction on the Western Canal began in 1911 and was completed by 1913. The Tempe Canal was eventually added to SRP’s system, but not until later in the 1920s.