Water and Arizona History: How the Quest for Water Shaped Arizona History

Water Shaped Arizona's History

What would the state of Arizona be without water? An underpopulated desert is a likely answer. The pursuit of water shaped Arizona history. It shaped Arizona political culture. Water enabled the economic development and population growth of Arizona.

Why Water?

The pursuit of water enabled a small state of ranchers, miners, and farmers to become a boomtown. After Arizona became a state in 1914, water reclamation projects fueled economic expansion across the state, and held everyone's interest. The quest for water had begun before statehood as Arizona's industries began to see the need for a more constant water supply in the arid state.

Mining companies like Phelps Dodge desired new sources of waters. Copper companies had discovered that low grade copper could be concentrated by putting the ore in a solution of water and chemicals. They also desired the electricity that could be generated by dams.

Ranchers in Maricopa used water to produce grain for cattle feeding operations. Soon farmers would make a bundle growing cotton in the arid desert. As the Arizona's needs grew, residents began to turn more to the federal government for aid in developing their plans.

Arizona's Quest for Federal Water