In Northwest Passage, a history of the Columbia River, author William Dietrich describes the 1951 ceremonial opening of the Grand Coulee Dam. Anxious that the project be viewed as an American monument benefitting all states, not just the Northwest, the Bureau of Reclamation solicited a jug of water from the governor of each state. Forty-eight apple princesses, representing the 48 states, each wearing a full-length gown, poured the jugs of water into the main canal of the Grand Coulee Dam during its opening.

Alas, one apple princess had only a half-filled jug, Arizona's contribution to the affair. Governor Howard Pyle provided the half jug, claiming that greedy California had stolen the rest from the Colorado River.