The Verde River: Bartlett and Horseshoe Dams

The Hohokam tribe, known for their advanced irrigation systems along the Verde River, mysteriously vanished, leaving a legacy that early Arizona settlers admired and sought to revive. The Salt River Project, initiated in 1903, led to the construction of significant reservoirs, including the Bartlett Dam and the Horseshoe Reservoir, which were crucial for copper mining during World War II. Today, the Verde River serves as a vital historical timeline and lifeline for the sprawling desert metropolis of Phoenix, Arizona, reflecting the region's rich heritage and development.