Pumping plants in a different light

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We all understand what an engineering marvel the CAP system is; the power we use to lift water uphill to Phoenix and Tucson; the facts and figures that are CAP.

In my nearly 20 years as the CAP photographer, I have many opportunities to capture a key component of that engineering marvel: the CAP pumping plants. To most people, these plants all look the same, but I have found a different way to look at them. As I’ve photographed the different plants, I’ve noticed how light strikes the structures at different times of the day, how sun and shadow and moonlight illuminate each differently, how composition and framing in a photograph can take concrete and brick and make it look like art.

So here are some of my favorite shots of CAP’s pumping plants. My personal top two are San Xavier Pumping Plant, with the streaks of light from a water truck driving through the frame, and Picacho Pumping Plant. The mountains that run up to the plant and the curves in the canal make it easy to find an interesting angle. I also wish I had shot the rainbow over Sandario Pumping Plant, but credit for that image goes to fellow CAP employee John Officer, one of our dedicated plant professionals.

Mark Wilmer Pumping Plant trash rake install
March 24, 2016
Central Arizona Project photo by Philip A. Fortnam
Mark Wilmer Pumping Plant
Bouse Pumping Plant
Bouse Pumping Plant
Little Harq Pumping Plant 
October 2008
Central Arizona Project photo by Philip A. Fortnam
Little Harquahala Pumping Plant
Hassayampa Pumping Plant Aerial
20170411
Central Arizona Project photo by Philip A. Fortnam
Hassayampa Pumping Plant
Waddell Pumping Generating Plant with By-pass Flowing 
drone aerial
March 19, 2018
Central Arizona Project photo by Philip A. Fortnam
Waddell Pump/Generating Plant
Salt Gila Pumping Plant
Salt Gila Pumping Plant
Brady Pumping Plant
September 2008
4x5 transparency scan
Central Arizona Project Photo by Philip A. Fortnam
Brady Pumping Plant
Picacho Pumping Plant
May 23, 2017 drone aerial
Central Arizona Project photo by Philip A. Fortnam
Picacho Pumping Plant
Twin Peaks Pumping Plant
Twin Peaks Pumping Plant
Rainbow over Sandario pumping plant.
March 23, 2017
Central Arizona Project photo by John Officer
Sandario Pumping Plant
Brawley Pumping Plant
Brawley Pumping Plant
San Xavier Pumping Plant
November 7, 2008
Central Arizona Project photo by Philip A. Fortnam
San Xavier Pumping Plant
Snyder Hill Black Mtn Pumping Plants
August 23, 2017
Central Arizona Project photo by Philip A. Fortnam
Snyder Hill & Black Mtn. Pumping Plants