RECENT FINDINGS: THE SAGINAW DAMS NEAR WILLIAMS, ARIZONA

 RECENT FINDINGS: THE SAGINAW DAMS NEAR WILLIAMS, ARIZONA


                                 


  An early postcard/photograph of the Santa Fe Dam. The card is postmarked August 22, 1907. From this angle, the Santa Fe dam (center), and the Saginaw wooden dam (right) can be clearly seen. Behind the Saginaw dam is the Saginaw draw, where a second Saginaw dam was located. In this early photograph can be seen several cabins and one large structure located by the wooden dam. It also appears that both dams are at full capacity, and that the wooden dam is braced by a number of logs. If the structure had collapsed, the mill site and part of Williams would have been flooded.   

     Note the Santa Fe Dam has been raised above the grade of the Saginaw Southern, located on the far side of the structure. The railroad relocated the line through a cut, just above the old grade. The grade appears to be still in use; a wooden trestle more atypical of standard design is located on the grade, right of photograph. 
     For the most part, the photograph shows that the Saginaw had harvested the area, including Bill Williams Mountain. Stumps still exist that support this conclusion. Contrary to some historians and caretakers of the environment, the Saginaw did not completely clear-cut the area.  Areas of young trees were left, allowing for the eventual reforestation of the mountain. Not all logging operations were damaging to nature. 


A second postcard, circa 1910. The forests are returning; trees and natural vegetation are flourishing. With the presence of the dams, the water table would have risen, providing a source of refreshment for thirsty roots.  

.(Postcards; author's collection.)



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