November 11, 2024 – The Phoenix-area canals are literally artificial rivers that carry the Salt’s vital water to valley communities. It should be no surprise, then, the canals are much more than a water delivery system. They are an integral part of the communities they water. In addition to water, they provide transportation corridors, recreational spaces, and even electricity. It is no exaggeration to say the canals are the lifeblood of the area, and thus the history of Phoenix is tied to the development of the canal network, just as it was in the days of the Hohokam.
The canals are gathering places, too. For example, the Scottsdale Waterfront is home to Canal Convergence, a free, ten-night public art event that takes over the Arizona Canal each November. This outdoor, immersive event features large-scale artworks, as well as educational workshops, family-friendly activities, live music and dance performances, a beer and wine garden, and food trucks.
Even on a Monday night when we visited it, the event was packed with hundreds of spectators that came to view the art installations, which not only lined the banks of the canal but even lay upon its waters.