How do canals from the Colorado River supply water to the Coachella and Imperial valleys?

The Imperial Valley and Coachella Valley are arid regions within the Colorado Desert that rely on water diverted from the Colorado River for their extensive agricultural productivity.123

The primary infrastructure for this water delivery is the All-American Canal, which was completed in 1940 to provide a reliable water supply to the Imperial Valley. This canal transports water approximately 80 miles from the Colorado River to the valley. The Coachella Valley receives its water supply through the Coachella Canal, which branches from the All-American Canal system.1425

Historically, irrigation in the Imperial Valley began in 1901 with the Imperial Canal, which diverted water through Mexico; however, this system was prone to flooding and instability, leading to the creation of the Salton Sea after a major breach in 1905. Today, the Salton Sea serves as a receiving basin for irrigation runoff from both valleys.15