A01=David H. DeJong
Akimel O'otham agriculture
Arizona irrigation projects
Arizona water rights
Author_David H. DeJong
Category=JBSL
Category=NHK
Category=WQH
Coolidge Dam history
Environmental history of the American West
eq_bestseller
eq_history
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_society-politics
Federal Indian policy history
forthcoming
Gila Decree
Gila River Indian Community
Gila River Valley history
Indigenous water sovereignty
Pima Indians history
San Carlos Irrigation Project
Tribal water rights history
Western water policy
Winters Doctrine
Product details
- ISBN 9780816557110
- Dimensions: 152 x 229mm
- Publication Date: 15 Sep 2026
- Publisher: University of Arizona Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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Unraveling a complex web of tension, distrust, and political maneuvering, Damming the Gila continues the story of the Gila River Indian Community’s struggle for the restoration of its water rights.
This volume continues to chronicle the history of water rights and activities on the Gila River Indian Reservation. Centered on the San Carlos Irrigation Project and Coolidge Dam, it details the history and development of the project, including the Gila Decree and the Winters Doctrine. Embedded in the narrative is the underlying tension between tribal growers on the Gila River Indian Reservation and upstream users. Told in seven chapters, the story underscores the idea that the Gila River Indian Community believed the San Carlos Irrigation Project was first and foremost for their benefit and how the project and the Gila Decree fell short of restoring their water and agricultural economy.
Damming the Gila is the third in a trio of important documentary works, beginning with DeJong’s Stealing the Gila and followed by Diverting the Gila. It continues the story of the Gila River Indian Community’s fight to regain access to their water.
This volume continues to chronicle the history of water rights and activities on the Gila River Indian Reservation. Centered on the San Carlos Irrigation Project and Coolidge Dam, it details the history and development of the project, including the Gila Decree and the Winters Doctrine. Embedded in the narrative is the underlying tension between tribal growers on the Gila River Indian Reservation and upstream users. Told in seven chapters, the story underscores the idea that the Gila River Indian Community believed the San Carlos Irrigation Project was first and foremost for their benefit and how the project and the Gila Decree fell short of restoring their water and agricultural economy.
Damming the Gila is the third in a trio of important documentary works, beginning with DeJong’s Stealing the Gila and followed by Diverting the Gila. It continues the story of the Gila River Indian Community’s fight to regain access to their water.
David H. DeJong, PhD, is the director of the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project and the author of nine books, including Stealing the Gila, as well as dozens of articles about federal Indian policy.
