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Salt River Project

From Alfawiki
Salt River Project
Company typePublic utility
IndustryUtilities
Founded1903
Headquarters
Phoenix
,
United States
Area served
Phoenix metropolitan area, central Arizona
ProductsElectricity, water services

The Salt River Project (SRP) consists of two separate organizations: the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, a state agency in Arizona responsible for delivering electricity to the Phoenix metropolitan area, and the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association, a utility cooperative that provides water services throughout central Arizona. It stands as one of the state's prominent public utility providers.

It is important to note that SRP is not connected to the Rio Salado Project, which involves various initiatives aimed at enhancing the Salt River within Phoenix.

Service territory

SRP's service area covers a broad portion of the Phoenix metropolitan region.

Governance

Each SRP entity operates under its own governance structure. Leadership is chosen by landowners through a "debt-proportionate" voting system, where voting power is allocated based on the amount of land owned. The Association's elected officials include a president, vice president, 10 governors, and 30 council members. Similarly, the District elects comparable officers along with a 14-member board. Elections are held every two years in April.

History

The canal network managed by SRP has its roots in nearly 500 miles of waterways originally constructed by the Hohokam people, ancestors of the indigenous groups in the region.

Early settlers in Phoenix relied heavily on the Salt River for farming but contended with inconsistent water flows and flooding. After unsuccessful attempts to build dams in 1897 and persistent drought conditions, the passage of the 1902 National Reclamation Act provided federal funding for reclamation projects. This led to the establishment of the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association in 1903, with over 200,000 acres pledged as security for government loans. This initiative was among the first five federally sanctioned reclamation projects, marked by the commencement of construction on the Roosevelt Dam in 1904.

While dam construction was pivotal, SRP also developed an extensive system of canals to distribute water throughout the valley. Hydroelectric power generation began at Roosevelt Dam during its construction in 1906, initially supplying electricity for cement production and other industrial purposes. The majority of excess power was sold to PG&E under an agreement restricting federal retail electricity sales within Phoenix.

In 1936, Arizona authorized special governmental districts to issue tax-exempt bonds for agricultural development, resulting in the creation of the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District—now one half of SRP. Over subsequent decades, SRP expanded its infrastructure with six reservoirs on both the Salt and Verde rivers and established multiple power plants throughout Arizona.

By 2007, SRP owned or operated eleven power generation facilities, including seven hydroelectric plants, and maintained energy purchase contracts with four major hydroelectric stations on the Colorado River. Managing six reservoirs along with dams at Blue Ridge Reservoir and Granite Reef Diversion Dam, plus an extensive canal network, SRP remains a vital provider of water and electricity services within Phoenix.

Salt River reservoirs

SRP controls four reservoirs situated along the Salt River east of Phoenix, serving primarily as water storage for the metropolitan area with a combined capacity of 3,292,054 acre feet.

These reservoirs also offer recreational opportunities; they are regularly stocked with fish and feature boat ramps supporting fishing and various water activities.

Theodore Roosevelt Lake

The Theodore Roosevelt Dam and its reservoir, Roosevelt Lake, stand as significant milestones in SRP’s infrastructure development. Initially funded in 1903, the dam was finalized in 1911 at the junction of the Salt River and Tonto Creek within the Tonto Valley. At 280 feet (85 m) tall, it was recognized as the tallest masonry dam globally at that time. The project received its name and dedication from U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

An extensive enlargement in 1996 elevated the dam by 77 feet (23 m), boosting the reservoir’s capacity by more than 20% and improving flood mitigation along the Salt River. Although a prolonged drought slowed full utilization, by early 2005, storage levels reached an unprecedented 90% of capacity.

With a surface area approaching , Roosevelt Lake is Arizona’s largest reservoir entirely contained within state boundaries, holding up to of water.

Apache Lake

Created by the Horse Mesa Dam, which was completed in 1927, Apache Lake lies a few miles downstream from Roosevelt Lake. The dam itself rises to a height of . At full capacity, Apache Lake covers , storing approximately of water.

Similar to other reservoirs on the Salt River below Roosevelt, Apache Lake is characterized by its elongated, narrow shape confined within a canyon floor. It also includes a hydroelectric power facility.

Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake is the third reservoir along the Salt River, formed by the Mormon Flat Dam, which was finished in 1925 as the second dam constructed in this sequence. Named after a nearby flat campground historically used by Mormon settlers, it is situated downstream of Apache Lake. The reservoir spans and holds , with hydroelectric plants installed at the dam.

Saguaro Lake

Downstream from Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake is created by the Stewart Mountain Dam. Completed in 1930 as the final reservoir on the Salt River, it covers an area of and stores . The dam also incorporates hydroelectric generation capabilities.

Verde River reservoirs and other dams

Following developments on the Salt River, SRP extended its reach to smaller waterways like the Verde River, constructing reservoirs aimed at water storage, flood control, and recreational use.

Bartlett Lake

Bartlett Lake, formed by the Bartlett Dam completed in 1939, was the first reservoir established on the Verde River. This multiple-arch dam stands 308.5 feet (94 m) tall but does not include hydroelectric power generation, unlike most dams on the Salt River. Bartlett Lake covers when full and ranks larger than all Verde River reservoirs except Roosevelt, with a maximum storage volume of .

Horseshoe Lake

Upstream from Bartlett Lake lies Horseshoe Lake, created by Horseshoe Dam, which was completed in 1946. Built originally by the Phelps Dodge Corporation as part of a water exchange deal, Phoenix financed spillway gates installation in 1949 in exchange for water rights. Similar to Bartlett Dam, Horseshoe Dam does not generate hydroelectric power. The lake extends over , but its maximum storage is lower at .

C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir

Constructed by mining company Phelps Dodge in 1965 and initially named Blue Ridge Dam, C.C. Cragin was developed to secure additional water supplies. Following a 1962 water exchange agreement, SRP took ownership of this dam and related infrastructure in 2005. Positioned on the Mogollon Rim, outside both Salt and Verde river basins, C.C. Cragin provides regional water support with a relatively modest storage capacity of , serving communities including the Gila River Indian Community, northern Gila County, and Payson.

Granite Reef Dam

Located near where the Salt and Verde rivers meet, the Granite Reef Diversion Dam channels water into canals that supply Phoenix instead of forming a reservoir. Built in 1906 to replace the Arizona Dam destroyed by flooding, it stands as the initial dam established within the system.

Canal system

SRP oversees a vast network of canals that distribute Salt River water throughout southern Phoenix. The primary canals include:

  • Arizona Canal,
  • Grand Canal,
  • Consolidated Canal,
  • Eastern Canal,
  • Western Canal,
  • South Canal,
  • Tempe Canal,
  • New Crosscut Canal,

In addition, SRP manages flood control canals across the Phoenix area.

Power generation

Beyond electricity produced at multiple Salt River dams, SRP owns or holds partial stakes in several power plants throughout Arizona:

Public Affairs Council

Renee Eastman continues her service on the 2013–2014 Board of Directors for the Public Affairs Council (PAC), representing SRP and extending her previous term.

National Conference of State Legislatures

SRP holds Gold Sponsorship status with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

Peter Hayes, Associate General Manager at SRP, serves on the board of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC). SRP’s membership with GPCC dates back to 1940.

Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Molly Greene, who chairs the Public Affairs Committee, is a board member of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. SRP is recognized as an "Arizona Trustee" member.

Greater Phoenix Urban League

Russell Smoldon from Salt River Project serves on the board of directors for the Greater Phoenix Urban League.

Electric Power Research Institute

Salt River Project participates as a member of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), supporting advancements and research in electric power technology.

Large Public Power Council

SRP is involved with the Large Public Power Council (LPPC), which represents significant publicly owned utilities.

American Public Power Association

Salt River Project maintains membership in the American Public Power Association (APPA), which promotes public power interests.

Labor and Management Public Affairs Committee

Salt River Project is affiliated with the Labor and Management Public Affairs Committee (LAMPAC), an influential organization focused on utility labor relations.

Democratic Attorneys General Association

From 2006 through 2009, Salt River Project contributed approximately $15,000 in sponsorship funds to programming organized by the Democratic Attorneys General Association.

Western Governors Association

Salt River Project participates in regional energy policy efforts by collaborating with the Western Governors Association (WGA) on various energy-related initiatives.

Council of State Governments

As part of the Associates program within the Council of State Governments (CSG), Salt River Project supports enhanced cooperation among government entities.

American Legislative Exchange Council

Russell Smolden, acting on behalf of Salt River Project, holds a position on the Private Enterprise Board of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

External links

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