National Reclamation Act

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One historic event that changed the future for Phoenix occurred in 1902 when President Roosevelt signed the National Reclamation Act. The Reclamation act made it possible to build damns on streams for reclamation purposes. Phoenix residents then quickly assembled the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association to make sure that water supplies were used and conserved properly. The association is still in place today and is the main agency that controls the use of irrigated water in the area.

On May 18th 1911 construction on the Theodore Roosevelt Dam was finished and began its operation. At the time the dam was the largest masonry dam in the world. The dam created Roosevelt Lake which has since served as a main water source for the growing population of Phoenix.

Next Page: The 1900's

Related Phoenix History and Overview Articles

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• Phoenix History and Overview
• First Settlers
• Early Phoenix
• Railroads
• National Reclamation Act
• The 1900's
• The Phoenix Metropolitan Area
• Phoenix Climate
• Economy