This is not what the Salt River looked like before the dams were built

With the construction of four large dams on the Salt River and the construction of the Granite Reef Diversion dam that sent the last of the water down the canals, the Salt River through the Salt River Valley has essentially been dry. Historically, the river was lined with brush and cottonwood trees. Most of the vegetation along the Salt River through the Salt River Valley communities has died. There are a few area where runoff from other sources has allowed a significant amount of vegetation to survive, but most of the inhabitants of the city know the river as only a dry bed, crossed by roads and some bridges. Every few years, the reservoirs fill and water starts down the river. This photo was taken in February of 2010 when the reservoirs were nearly at capacity and there was still enough water left over after diversions into the canals had taken as much water as possible.

The view is looking east towards Granite Reef Dam, which cannot be seen. The houses in the background are in East Mesa, the mountain with the prominent white stripe is Usury Mountain, further away and to the south, is the famous front face of the Superstition Mountains, part of which is known as the Flat Iron.

Some of the other prominent features visible in the photo include the Red Mountain Freeway, visible in the near distance just past the river.