Water Sources

Much of the Valley's renewable water supply comes from the mountains of northern and central Arizona. This watershed directs rain and snowfall into rivers that converge near Phoenix. Annual variations in this water supply are buffered by water stored in reservoirs and careful management of groundwater.

Forests and the Watershed

SRP's involvement in the watershed encompasses a large forested region that extends from the White Mountains near New Mexico to Seligman west of Flagstaff. SRP water resource efforts begin with monitoring conditions and managing supply from the watershed. Additionally, SRP supports replanting programs and fire mitigation efforts which enhance forest health.

Rivers

The Salt River and its tributary, the Verde River, are major water resources for SRP. These rivers originate high in central Arizona mountains and pass through seven storage dams before joining northeast of Phoenix.  SRP is actively engaged in the ecology and health of these riparian corridors.

Reservoirs

Water from the Salt River is captured and stored in Theodore Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon and Saguaro lakes. The Verde River feeds Horseshoe and Bartlett lakes. Combined, they can store more than 2.3 million acre-feet of water.  These water storage reservoirs provide recreational lakes for all of Arizona.

Dams

The dams forming the Salt River reservoirs provide water storage and over 230 megawatts of hydrogenation capacity.  Horse Mesa and Mormon Flat dams on the Salt River contain pump back storage which helps SRP supply electrical load during peak demand. Verde River dams have no hydrogenation capacity but are critical to water management.

Canals

Customers in a 375-square-mile area receive over 850,000 acre-feet of water annually through a water-delivery network that includes 131 miles of main canals, 1,132 miles of laterals and ditches and 255 large-capacity wells.   Nearly all the canals have been lined with concrete to enhance water conservation.

Cities & Partnerships

In a partnership that has lasted for decades, SRP delivers the majority of the water supply to Valley Cities who treat, clean, and deliver it to Valley homes within the SRP water district. Coordinated water management for the metropolitan Phoenix area depends on these relationships and agreements.

Farming & Agriculture

As agricultural land transitions to urban housing in the Valley, managing water issues becomes increasingly important. Partnerships and collaboration between municipal, agricultural and tribal water users are critical to balancing water use in food production, with urban environments and sustainable growth.

End Uses

SRP has evolved to meet the needs of a diverse customer base. As a leader, SRP continues its stewardship of the Valley's water supply, through water resource management and water conservation efforts to ensure that what starts in the watershed makes it to your showerhead.

From watershed to shower head

You might never think about where the water comes from when you turn on the tap. But SRP does. We've been delivering and developing the Valley's water supply for over 100 years. Rain and snow falls on the watershed, then water flows down creeks and rivers to collect in the lakes and reservoirs behind our dams. It then moves through our canal system and is delivered to farmers, homeowners and partnering municipal water treatment plants. From the watershed to your showerhead, managing water is one of SRP's top priorities. With your help, together, we'll be able to meet the water needs of our communities – today and tomorrow.