In 1946, the Phelps-Dodge Corporation completed Horseshoe Dam on the Verde River under a water exchange agreement. Benefits Irrigation Irrigation water from the project helped transform a part of the Arizona desert into fertile farmland that produces millions of dollars worth of crops annually. Principal crops are wheat, grain sorghum, pasture, grain, alfalfa, barley, and citrus. Flood Control Capacity assigned to flood control is 556,000 acre-feet. All reservoirs located on the Salt and Verde Rivers offer year-round boating and fishing for a variety of warmwater fish species.
Waterfowl hunting is permitted in season.
Theodore Roosevelt Lake contains a wildlife area and, as a wildlife refuge, is posted to permit hunting at certain times of the year. Theodore Roosevelt and Apache Lakes offer year-round motel rental facilities. Canyon, Saguaro, and Bartlett Lakes offer a variety of camping, picnicking, swimming, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. The Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam offers outstanding trout fishing during certain times of the year. During 1993 the Salt River Project recorded 1,070,690 12-hour visitor days.