Historic American Engineering Record: Tempe Canal, South Side of Salt River, Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona

Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. AZ-16 presents a written historical summary and relevant historical documentation about the construction and use of the Tempe Canal, which provides irrigation waters to the Southeast valley cities of Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler, Arizona. The report contains a narrative description, photographs, drawings, and maps.
The Tempe Canal is likely the oldest canal that is still in use in the Salt River Valley. Moreover, the Tempe Canal Company was the last independent canal company in the valley to join the Salt River Project. The canal is also associated with the early history of hyrdopower projects in the valley. The waterways involvement in power generation began in 1874 with the Hayden Mill, and ended with the closure of the Chandler Falls Hydroelectric Plant in 1952.
The construction of Tempe Canal began in 1871, with extensions and improvements continuing through 1887. The Tempe Crosscut Canal and Chandler Falls were built in approximately 1894. The construction and modification of drainage works, pumping plants, and other infrastructure started in 1905 and continues to the present day.