The Roosevelt dam was constructed in the early 1900s to help manage the flow of the salt river. It protected the people in Phoenix from periodic flooding. It was an engineering marvel of its time. Arizona was still a territory and hadn’t achieved statehood.

The water that backed up behind the dam flooded the area of the salt River Valley and also Tonto creek. This created a water supply for the local communities and the city of Phoenix as well as the recreational lake in the desert.

The building of the dam was dangerous work. I wandered through the local cemetery. It is estimated that 75 people died in construction injuries.

The grave yard

When I was visiting the Roosevelt Lake, it was nearly 90°. After climbing 3000 feet into the Mazatzal mountains, it was lightly snowing – a bit of a cold night last night

More from today and yesterday

And a few flowers, of course…

And some strange wood

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Not sure if I’d rather be too warm or too cool,

Junco