| Frame | Graphic | Story |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bully! |
In the beginning, (1900), there were floods and droughts. In 1907, President Teddy Roosevelt approved a dam on the Salt River for flood control, electricity and multiple use. |
| 2 |  |
The dam was built by Itialian stone masons one rock at a time. It was a beautiful dam completed in 1911 with a state highway on top and was the only highway conecting Payson with the County Seat in Globe. |
| 3 |  |
In 1995, the concern for Safety of Dams (SOD), additional potential for water storage and electricity was too strong. A new bridge for the road was constructed first. The bridge has practially no traffic, but is still the longest two lane bridge in North America. The dam was raised about 60 feet. (Personally, except the bridge and safety, I like the old dam better.) |
| 4 |  |
The river is controlled by a series of dams (with pump-back facilities), until it reaches Granite Reef Dam. Here, the water is normally diverted for agricultural and domestic use. |
| 5 |  |
No need for a bridge here! (except if it floods, when you get a ticket under the Stupidity Law for driving across) |
| 6 |  |
But that isn't enough water for Phoenix, Tucson, nearby communities and Indian Reservations. In 1968, Congress approved a massive public works project (read that boondoggle (g) ) to bring water 336 miles from the Colorado River to Phoenix and Tucson. Note to my California friends: The water for the Central Arizona Project (CAP) comes from Arizona's share of Colorado River water which has so far not been used. Since water from the Colorado is limited (the water never makes it to the sea), the water comes from the excess water California has been using to deliver water to farms and the L.A. area (g). |
| 7 |  |
After WWII, air conditioning made made Arizona a very desirable place to live. Houses are built in huge plots right up to Indian and Forest boundries, and as high on the mountains that can be built (Desert Sprawl!). |
| 8 |  |
By 2020, all the agricultural land origionally protected will be urbanized.
After 110 years we call this P R O G R E S S ! |