2018 Map of McMicken Dam

About this map

The rapid expansion of Surprise in the late 2010s is clearly visible in this survey, showcasing a landscape defined by large-scale water management and residential development. The McMicken Dam and its associated McMicken Dam Outlet Channel dominate the central terrain, while the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct cuts through the northern sections, illustrating the massive infrastructure required to support desert habitation. To the east, the settlement of Beardsley sits along the BNSF Railway, marking a corridor of historical transport that contrasts with the newer suburban grids spreading west. Beyond the developed neighborhoods, the landscape remains punctuated by natural features such as Bunker Peak and the winding Picacho Wash. This documentation captures a specific phase of Maricopa County’s growth, where modern irrigation canals like the Beardsley Canal meet the encroaching street networks of a growing metropolitan area.