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Gillespie Dam
Dam in Maricopa County, Arizona / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gillespie Dam is a concrete gravity dam located on the Gila River between the towns of Buckeye and Gila Bend, Arizona. The dam was constructed during the 1920s for primarily irrigation purposes. It was key to the development of a 72,000-acre (29,000 ha) parcel owned by "millionaire" W.S. Gillespie of Tulsa, Oklahoma, initially allowing for irrigation of 10,000 acres (4,000 ha).[2] A portion of the dam failed unexpectedly in 1993 during unusually heavy rains.
Quick Facts Official name, Location ...
Gillespie Dam | |
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![]() The Gila River flows freely through the breached dam. | |
Official name | Gillespie Dam |
Location | Maricopa County, Arizona, US |
Coordinates | 33°13′45″N 112°46′10″W |
Purpose | Irrigation |
Status | Decommissioned |
Opening date | 1921[1] |
Demolition date | 1993 |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Gravity dam |
Impounds | Gila River |
Height | 80 feet (24 m) |
Length | 1,700 feet (520 m) |
Reservoir | |
Creates | Gillespie Dam Reservoir (former) |
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