Granite Reef Diversion Dam
The Granite Reef Diversion Dam is a concrete diversion dam located Northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. It impounds the Salt River for irrigation purposes.
The dam diverts most all water in the Salt River into the Arizona and South Canals serving metropolitan Phoenix with irrigation and drinking water. The Salt River below Granite Reef is usually dry except following consistent and heavy upstream precipitation. When upstream lakes are full, minor and moderate releases are accomplished via floodgates at either end of the dam. The dam is designed to be overtopped by major releases, which can occur every 10 to 40 years.
The dam is long, high. Its volume is.
The United States Bureau of Reclamation built the dam between 1906 and 1908 to replace Arizona Dam washed out in 1905.. It is operated by the Salt River Project, an electric cooperative.
