07. The Division Gates and Controversies About Water Usage

While the division gates remained an important part of the Consolidated Canal system throughout its history, they resulted in many lawsuits.  Both Mesa and Tempe farmers sued Dr. Chandler’s Consolidated Canal Company, claiming that Chandler unfairly profited from the new canal system.  Another lawsuit involved the creation of a waterfall in the Mesa Canal.  Ultimately Dr. Chandler testified before Congress and the Supreme Court regarding several of these lawsuits.