Arizona Falls

This page is both part of the Off the Beaten Path section of my website and also my entry for the 32-Bit Cafe's 4th Community Code Jam, Vacation Destination. Come and take a little vacation from your daily routine and check out a really cool place, hiding in plain site in the metro Phoenix area!

First, just what exactly is Arizona Falls? The Arizona Canal was constructed in the 1880s. Along the planned route, there is a natural 20 foot drop which the builders elected to keep. In those days, before the advent of air conditioning, this was a place where people used to gather as the mist from the falls provided some cooling relief. In the early part of the 1900s, a hydroelectric station was built over the falls and provided electricity locally until 1950, when it became too costly to maintain. It was rebuilt in 2003, providing up to 750 kilowatts of energy, serving as an educational area and also, as it was in the beginning, a place where people can gather and enjoy a cool respite from the desert heat.



Heading west down Indian School Road, the entrance (to the right) is fairly nondescript and easy to just pass by, if you don't know what you're looking for. I know people who have lived in the area for years and didn't realize Arizona Falls existed.


Entrance to Arizona Falls - a section of sewer pipe with sculptures at either side. I believe they are a shovel and a water spigot handle. The walkway heading up leads to the falls.


Once you climb the walkway, you will find yourself on an upper deck. There are 5 boulders representing the 5 dam sites along the Salt River. All of them are different, showcasing Arizona's wonderful geological diversity. Starting from the top, the boulders are from: Theodore Roosevelt Dam, Horse Mesa Dam, Mormon Flat Dam, Stewart Mountain Dam and Granite Reef Diversion Dam.


Sign with a map showing the location of the dams and information about the Salt River watershed. There's a link to an interactive tour on the sign. It's a really neat site that explains all about water in the desert and also the history of Arizona's canals.


Arizona Falls is not only a functioning hydroelectric station, it's also a work of art. Part of the deck's concrete has been imprinted with reeds and acid stained to capture the essence of flowing water. There is also poetry inscribed in the concrete! I particularly liked this inscription, which says, "Water is gravity's dog, following it everywhere."


From the upper deck area, you can look down into the lower area. There is rock seating and curtains of water everywhere, providing a cooling mist and a lovely natural soundtrack of falling water.


Another look at the upper section of the Falls, before heading down to the seating area.


You've made it down to the seating area!


Looking down the canal.


If you look down into the waters of the canal, you might see some fish. But these aren't ordinary fish! These are White Amur and they are used to keep the canals free of vegetation. SRP uses approximately 50,000 White Amur throughout the canal system.


I hope you've enjoyed your time here at the Falls, stepping away from your normal routine for just a bit and having an opportunity to explore a small wonder. I also hope that maybe you are encouraged to seek out hidden places in your own backyard. Don't forget your stamp for the 32-Bit Cafe Destination Vacation Passport!

I'll leave some more links about Arizona Falls for you to check out. If you've been to other parts of Off the Beaten Path, you will find that I have a bit of a thing for infrastructure. If you also have a thing for infrastructure, make sure you visit the links that go to the individual dams. Lots of really cool information to be found there!