As you drive east on Indian Bend Road between the thoroughfares of Scottsdale and Hayden, you see them—14-foot-tall aluminum equine sentries set atop majestic plinths. Completed in 2010 and designed by Seattle artist team Haddad|Drugan in partnership with Scottsdale Public Art, the shimmering “Water Mark” quintet was influenced by art deco hood ornaments. They’re an homage to cars that became stranded in the Indian Bend Wash during flood events, before the bridge was built.

“This was a unique opportunity to work with floodwater in a sculptural way,” partner Laura Haddad says of the project. “We collaborated with engineers to develop sculptures that would bring beauty and visual interest during dry times but also come alive during storm events. The water coming from the horses’ mouths is a literal drop in the bucket of what is being channeled during the monsoon, but it is the part that people see and which captures their imagination.”