CAP tribal water

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CAP, a 336-mile system that brings Colorado River water to central and southern Arizona, is the single largest provider of water to tribes in the Colorado River system.

There are 22 federally recognized tribes in the state of Arizona. Of those tribes, 14 have either fully resolved, adjudicated rights or partially resolved water rights claims; and of that group, a number of those tribes received a significant portion of their water through the CAP.

Did you know CAP also delivers the state’s single largest renewable water supply and serves 80% of the state’s population?

Read more and Know Your Water

The CAP system: a reliable water supply

The CAP system provides both delivery and storage of Colorado River water and includes:

  • The Lake Pleasant storage reservoir;
  • 14 pumping plants that lift water, uphill, nearly 3,000 feet overall;
  • One hydroelectric pump-generating plant;
  • 39 radial gate structures to control water flow;
  • More than 50 turnouts to deliver water to central and southern Arizona.

See a CAP system map

Lake Pleasant water level

Water stored in Lake Pleasant comes from two main sources: the Colorado River via the CAP canal and runoff from the Agua Fria River. CAP pumps Colorado River water into Lake Pleasant during the fall and winter months and releases water during the spring and summer to meet higher demands.

See the Lake Pleasant water level