Jack Swilling, Founder of Phoenix, AZ

Salt River, Verde River, Agua Fria River.

He had nothing to do with bringing Colorado river water to the rest of the state.

FYI

East Central Arizona project canal was not authorized until 1968. Construction started in 1973. This was done to bring Arizona’s allotment of the Colorado river water to Phoenix and other parts of the state.

The Colorado River Compact between seven states sharing the Colorado river water was signed in 1922. Unfortunately it grossly overestimated the average annual rainfall.

It’s a little more complex than one might think.

I couldn't think of a better meme image for the joke.