Water in the Desert

Having lived in the Phoenix area and having attempted to grow fruits and vegetables in a couple of arid mountain West states, can I say how unsurprised I am to find that they have found ancient canals in Mesa, Arizona? Who could survive that climate without some form of water management?

As to that "Waveyard" project...sounds like a fun idea, but they are going to lose a fortune in evaporation to that Arizona sun!