The Canal that Accidentally Grew a Forest in the Arizona Desert

The Central Arizona Project Canal is a crucial infrastructure that supplies water to 80% of Arizona's population. It redirects water from the Colorado River, impacting urban and agricultural development. Despite its design, the canal inadvertently acts as a water harvesting structure, creating microclimates and supporting native vegetation. This highlights the ecological benefits and challenges of such infrastructure in desert environments.

What is the primary source of water for 80% of Arizona's population?

• Salt River

• Gila River

• Lake Mead

• Central Arizona Project Canal

How much water is pumped back into the ground each year for storage in aquifers?

• 100 billion gallons

• 500 billion gallons

• 16 million gallons

• 5 million gallons

What unintended function does the Central Arizona Project Canal serve in the landscape?

• Wildlife habitat

• Energy generation

• Water harvesting

• Flood prevention

What permaculture feature is similar to the canal's unintended function?

• Terracing

• Swales

• Composting

• Mulching

Who demonstrated the use of swales in the Sonoran Desert in the early 80s?

• Geoff Lawton

• Bill Mollison

• Sepp Holzer

• David Holmgren

What type of ecosystem is created by the canal's water harvesting effect?

• Grassland

• Native forest

• Wetland

• Desert scrubland

How does the canal unintentionally support biodiversity?

• By creating microclimates and capturing rainwater runoff

• By providing irrigation for agriculture

• By increasing water evaporation

• By reducing urban sprawl