Yuma Quartermaster Depot river history (#0901)

A key reason for visiting the Quartermaster Depot was its extensive history of the 'controlling' of the Colorado River. Prior to the damming of the Colorado, the river varied tremendously in volume and changed course frequently. This picture was taken after the first major dam was built in 1909 (show in later pictures) at a time when the Colorado still frequently flooded vast areas.

In the picture within the picture, the Ocean-to-Ocean bridge, which was built in 1915, would be just out of the picture at about the center right. The Territorial Prison building is on the cliff on the far side of the river in that picture. (Also see adjacent picture and pictures #0869 or #0871).