Planning for Tomorrow

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Planning for Tomorrow

Central Arizona Project’s 336-mile aqueduct is an engineering marvel, lifting Colorado River water more than 2,900 vertical feet from Lake Havasu City to Tucson.

Extensive planning and collaborative efforts help protect the health of this water supply that’s used by more than 80 percent of the state’s population in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties, and more than 40 percent of irrigated agricultural land.

CAP is also the single largest supplier of water to tribes in the Colorado River system.

Read more and Know Your Water

Amazing infrastructure: out of sight, top of mind

Behind CAP’s reliable deliveries is critical “out-of-sight” infrastructure that is also “top of mind.” From pumping plants, tunnels and turnouts, to trails, check gates, and wildlife crossings, the CAP system truly is an engineering marvel.

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 StoryMap

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