Which group is a primary user of the CAP project?

The Central Arizona Project (CAP) is primarily designed to deliver water to various sectors in Arizona, with a significant focus on the agricultural sector. Agriculture in Arizona is heavily dependent on a reliable water supply, as it is a major contributor to the state's economy and food production. The CAP provides a substantial amount of Colorado River water to farmers in central and southern Arizona, helping them irrigate crops in a region that would otherwise struggle with water scarcity due to its arid climate.

While other sectors, such as industrial and residential, benefit from the CAP, agricultural needs are the driving force behind the project’s creation and continuing operation. The infrastructure and water rights associated with the CAP heavily prioritize the agricultural sector to ensure that farming can be sustained in a state where water is a limited resource. Tourism and industrial sectors do utilize the water, but the foundational purpose of the CAP aligns closely with fulfilling the water requirements of agriculture, making it the primary user of the project.