2014 Map of McMicken Dam

About this map

Surprise and Sun City West anchor this 2014 survey of the desert landscape west of Phoenix, revealing the intensive suburban development and water management infrastructure essential to the region's growth. The massive McMicken Dam and its associated Trilby Wash Basin dominate the central terrain, designed to manage seasonal runoff from the surrounding hills. This water control system is complemented by the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct, which cuts diagonally across the northwest, and the Beardsley Canal winding through the south. The map documents a moment of transition where established grid-patterned agricultural and desert lands meet the intricate cul-de-sac networks of modern residential communities. Local landmarks like Bunker Peak and the community of Beardsley provide geographic context for researchers tracing the rapid physical changes in Maricopa County during the early 21st century.