Grand Canal Phoenix Arizona facing east near Third Avenue

The Grand Canal is a major canal in central

Maricopa County Maricopa County is in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,420,568, making it the state's most populous county, and the fourth-most populous in the United States. It contains about 6 ...

, Arizona in the United States, that aided in the early agricultural development of

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

, now running through many of the historic neighborhoods in central Phoenix. The canal now serves to feed municipal water systems in the

Valley of the Sun A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over ...

as well as neighborhoods that practice flood irrigation for landscaping.

History

The Grand Canal is the oldest remaining pioneer canal on the north side of the Salt River. The canal was once lined with towering cottonwood trees and was a popular recreation spot for Phoenicians. It was planned in 1877 and constructed in 1878 by the Grand Canal Company. The federal government purchased the Grand Canal for $20,488 in June 1906, as part of the

Newlands Reclamation Act The Reclamation Act (also known as the Lowlands Reclamation Act or National Reclamation Act) of 1902 () is a United States federal law that funded irrigation projects for the arid lands of 20 states in the American West. The act at first covere ...

, and it became part of the newly created

Salt River Project The Salt River Project (SRP) is the umbrella name for two separate entities: the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, an agency of the state of Arizona that serves as an electrical utility for the Phoenix metropolitan a ...

Grand Canalscape

The Grand Canalscape is a 22.5 million dollar effort to revitalize the banks of the Grand Canal and encourage investment in the surrounding neighborhoods. The project includes a paved multi-use path, art installations and improved signal crossings at major streets.

References

{{Coord missing, Arizona Phoenix, Arizona Canals in Arizona