Yuma in Yuma County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Quartermaster Depot Water Reservoir

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 13, 2010

1. Quartermaster Depot Water Reservoir Marker

Inscription. A steam pump located at the edge of the river propelled muddy Colorado River water through pipes to an elevated holding tank constructed of local rock and mortar with a wood shingle roof to decrease evaporation. Sediment fell to the bottom of the tank then gravity flow forced the cleared water through pipes to Quartermaster buildings and other houses in the area. Periodically, a soldier was sent into the tank to clean out the accumulated silt, hoisting it up and out in buckets.

The reservoir provided a number of services: household water for people, water for the large number of horses and mules used for freighting supplies throughout Arizona Territory, and water for irrigating the extensive vegetable gardens that graced the grounds around the Commanding Officer's Quarters.

The Arizona State Parks Board acquired the water reservoir in 1981 from the Bureau of Reclamation. Full restoration was completed in 1987.

Erected by Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1981.

Location. 32° 43.688′ N,

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114° 37.317′ W. Marker is in Yuma, Arizona, in Yuma County. It can be reached from North 4th Avenue north of West 1st Street. Marker is on the grounds of the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 North 4th Avenue, Yuma AZ 85364, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Colorado River Valley,

in the Sonoran Desert,

and in the Yuma Area.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Commanding Officer's Quarters & Kitchen (a few steps from this marker); Office of the U. S. Army Depot Quartermaster (within shouting distance of this marker); Southern Pacific Passenger Coach Car (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yuma Crossing Park (about 600 feet away); Southern Pacific Engine No. 2521 (about 700 feet away);

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 13, 2010

2. Quartermaster Depot Water Reservoir Marker

Southern Pacific Hotel (about 800 feet away); A Remnant of the SPRR Settling Tanks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reclaiming the Yuma Crossing (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yuma.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,354 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.