The Arizona Canal is a major canal in central Maricopa County that led to the founding of several communities, now among the wealthier neighborhoods of suburban Phoenix, constructed in the late 1880s. Flood irrigation of residential yards is still common in these neighborhoods, using a system of lateral waterways connected via gates to the canal itself.[1] Like most Valley canals, its banks are popular with joggers and bicyclists.
The canal, nearly 50 miles (80 km) long, is the northernmost canal in the Salt River Project's 131-mile (211 km) water distribution system.[2] Beginning at Granite Reef Diversion Dam, northeast of Mesa, it flows west across the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, downtown Scottsdale, Phoenix's Arcadia and Sunnyslope neighborhoods, Glendale, and Peoria before ending at New River near Arrowhead Towne Center.
- ^ Brief description of flood irrigation in Phoenix by Salt River Project
- ^ "map". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2005-01-01.