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May
27
2025
Exhibit Colorado River Lifeblood of the Yuma Community’ opens May 29

Exhibit Colorado River Lifeblood of the Yuma Community’ opens May 29

Exhibit Colorado River Lifeblood of the Yuma Community’ opens May 29

 

Exhibit ‘Colorado River: Lifeblood of the Yuma Community’ opens May 29

 

 

Exhibit ‘Colorado River: Lifeblood of the Yuma Community’ opens May 29

 

The Colorado River State Historic Park will unveil its newest exhibit, “The Colorado River: Lifeblood of the Yuma Community,” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 29, marking a significant milestone for both the Yuma community and visitors alike. The new exhibit is installed in the historic Corral House building, the original home of the Bureau of Reclamation in Yuma.

This new installation is made possible by grant funding from the Arizona Community Foundation, which allowed us to create interactive interpretive panels. These panels highlight Yuma’s deep-rooted connection to the Colorado River, exploring the river’s crucial role in sustaining the local community and economy. The exhibit will delve into a variety of themes, including the history of the Bureau of Reclamation’s role in water management, the impact of local irrigation districts, water rights in the West, and the influence of the Colorado River Compact on regional water politics.

 

In addition to these panels, the exhibit focuses on the agricultural innovations that have helped the region optimize water usage, showcasing Yuma’s contribution to the nation’s winter vegetable supply. Visitors will also learn how agriculture and water usage are intricately tied to the river’s future.

Highlighting the importance of education, the exhibit features a short documentary produced by the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association and an interactive panel with fun facts about Yuma’s agriculture. It aims to engage community members and tourists alike in understanding the critical role the Colorado River plays, not just for Yuma, but for the entire nation.

 

“The Colorado River is vital to the sustainability of agriculture in our region and across the country,” said Tammy Snook, manager of the Colorado River State Historic Park. “Through this exhibit, we hope to raise awareness of the river’s future challenges and encourage informed decisions on how to address the looming water crisis facing our community and the broader Colorado River basin.”

With annual visitation to the park totaling about 7,500 people, including locals, tourists and educational groups, the new exhibit offers a prime opportunity to educate the public on the significance of the river in the daily lives of those in Yuma and beyond. As a hub of education and preservation, the Colorado River State Historic Park is uniquely positioned to share the story of the river and its importance.

The ribbon-cutting event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Colorado River State Historic Park, located at 201 N. 4th Ave. in Yuma. Community members, local leaders and visitors are invited to join in celebrating the opening of this important exhibit.