The Colorado River has always been the most viable source of water for the area.
Local wells have a very high salt content.
The first known water distribution system in Yuma was a mule or burro-driven pump that piped water from the river to a stone reservoir at Fort Yuma, serving on the fort. In 1877, the Southern Pacific Railroad built settling reservoirs on the hill west of Southern Pacific s river bridge. Water flowed by gravity from the reservoirs, through a wooden line, to the train yard and the Southern Pacific s hotel. In 1889, the Yuma Territorial Prison built their own waterworks. The covered circular stone reservoir still exists as part of the Prison State Historic Park.