The first solar panels installed on the Casa Blanca Canal on the Gila River Indian Reservation

Gabriel Pietrorazio/KJZZ

The Casa Blanca Canal flows on both sides of Interstate 10 and through the Gila River Indian Reservation.

Last year, the Gila River Indian Community and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreed to place solar panels on the Casa Blanca Canal. This week, officials celebrated the start of installation.

The panels protect water from evaporation and improve its quality, limiting the growth of aquatic organisms, while generating renewable energy for tribal irrigation facilities.

In a social media post, Gila River Indian Community officials said the move demonstrates a commitment to caring for sacred land through the use of multi-functional infrastructure solutions.

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