Parker Crane Certification Prep, From the Parker Strip to the Farm Fields

Dams that shaped the town

Parker Dam, upstream of town, holds back Lake Havasu. The Bureau of Reclamation calls it the deepest dam in the world: about 73 percent of its 320-foot structural height sits below the original riverbed, because builders had to dig through deep river sand and gravel to reach bedrock. Closer in, Headgate Rock Dam diverts water into the canal system that irrigates CRIT farmland and backs up the stretch of river known as the Parker Strip.

Dams, canals and pump plants need ongoing maintenance and occasional heavy equipment replacement: gates, turbines, pumps and canal structures. Those lifts often happen from tight spots on a dam crest or canal bank with water on one side, exactly the kind of setup where a certified operator and a qualified rigger make the difference.

CRIT enterprise and farming

The Colorado River Indian Tribes, made up of Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo people, hold senior Colorado River water rights and farm roughly 84,500 acres, growing crops like alfalfa, cotton and sorghum. The tribes have also expanded into sand and gravel, retail, real estate and tourism, including the BlueWater Resort & Casino, opened in 1999 with more than 200 rooms overlooking the river.

Farm work brings its own lifts: pump stations, irrigation structures, hay barn steel and equipment repairs. Resort and marina work brings dock sections, boat lifts and rooftop units. Work on tribal land can involve tribal employment rules and owner requirements in addition to OSHA standards, so ask the project owner what credentials they expect.

River heat and river wind

• Extreme summer heat. The lower Colorado River valley is among the hottest areas in the country; Parker regularly sees highs above 110°F. Plan lifts for early morning.
• Wind along the river. Monsoon storms can send strong gusts down the valley, and wind over open water is often stronger than readings in town.
• Sandy, saturated ground. Riverbank and canal-side setups can look firm and then settle under an outrigger. Use mats and check ground conditions every time.
• Glare off the water can make hand signals hard to read, so agree on radio procedures before you start.

Certifying from a small river town

Parker candidates usually travel to the Phoenix metro, roughly two and a half to three hours east, for written and practical exams, or look at sessions in the Las Vegas area. Plan the trip so you arrive ready for both if you can. Online study covers the written knowledge; the practical exam is always taken on a real crane with an accredited examiner.

Good starting points: Rigger Level I and signal person for marina and farm crews, mobile crane operator for dam, commercial and resort construction, and digger derrick operator for utility work along the river. Arizona has no state crane license; ADOSH enforces the federal standard. See our requirements guide.