by Philip Fortnam

CAP is the manifestation of a big idea: a place of big and bold structures. It is vital and not subtle; however, as I stand next to the canal and watch the water slide past and disappear into the Arizona geography, I realize that it is graceful, too.

The CAP system has features with subtle colors and angles throughout that assist in delivering Colorado River water. It’s easy to overlook the subtle curves and shades of CAP, but they’re everywhere. Sometimes it takes a moment to see the understated things that are CAP, too.

With the occasional help of a macro lens here are a few of the angles and curves of CAP that help to make it the engineering marvel we rely on to bring water to central and southern Arizona.