Urban Salt River

Photo of Tempe Town Lake dam
Tempe Town Lake was created by damming the dry Salt River with a series of hydraulically-operated steel gates and adding water.
Photo of Tempe Town Lake
Tempe Town Lake is a two-mile long artificial reservoir in the heart of Tempe near the campus of Arizona State University. The lake and the adjacent area are home to a thriving business community.
Photo of aerial view of Tempe Town Lake
Aerial view of Tempe Town Lake showing the pedestrian bridge across the lake as well as the hydraulic gates forming the dam. Downtown Tempe is shown in the background.
Photo of dry Salt River below Tempe Town Lake
Normally a perennial river, the Salt River below Tempe Town Lake is now dry except for the spring run-off and summer monsoons.
Photo of calcium and magnesium salts on Salt River
Calcium and magnesium salts are visible in the streambed after the water carrying them in solution evaporated quickly near the Rio Salado Audubon Center.
Photo of Rio Salado Audubon Center river park
The Rio Salado Audubon Center is a 600-acre park in the Salt River corridor. The water for the park is provided from nearby canals and wells on the property.
Photo of Tres Rios effluent discharge
Treated wastewater effluent being released into the Salt River after leaving the Tres Rios Wetlands. The Sierra Estrella Mountains can be seen in the background. The Salt and Gila converge at their base at the Base and Meridian Wildlife Management Area.
Photo of confluence of Gila and Salt Rivers at Base and Meridian Wildlife Area
The Salt River ends its journey near the Base and Meridian Wildlife Area where it joins the Gila River at South Avondale Boulevard.
Photo of Gila and Salt River survey point encased in a concrete compass
The first survey point made in Arizona known as the Gila and Salt River meridian. The survey point is encased in a concrete compass identifying the four cardinal directions.
Photo of Hohokam petroglyphs in South Mountain Park
The people of the Hohokam culture etched petroglyphs in the canyons and hills surrounding the Salt River Valley. Shown here are a few of the petroglyphs found in the South Mountain Park and Preserve in Phoenix, Arizona.
➤