<P> After the fall of Teotihuacan, AD 600--800, several other city states appeared around the lake, including Xoloc, Azcapotzalco, Tlacopan, Coyohuacan, Culhuacán, Chimalpa and Chimalhuacán--mainly from Toltec and Chichimeca influence . None of these predominated and they coexisted more or less in peace for several centuries . This time was described as a Golden age in Aztec chronicles . By the year 1300, however, the Tepanec from Azcapotzalco were beginning to dominate the area . </P> <P> According to a traditional story, the Mexica wandered in the deserts of modern Mexico for 100 years before they came to the thick forests of the place now called the Valley of Mexico . </P> <P> Tenochtitlan was founded on an islet in the western part of the lake in the year 1325 . Around it, the Aztecs created a large artificial island using a system similar to the creation of chinampas . To overcome the problems of drinking water, the Aztecs built a system of dams to separate the salty waters of the lake from the rain water of the effluents . It also permitted them to control the level of the lake . The city also had an inner system of channels that helped to control the water . </P> <P> The Aztec ruler Ahuitzotl attempted to built an aqueduct that would take fresh from the mainland to the lakes surrounding the Tenochtitlan city . The aqueduct failed, and the city suffered a major flood in 1502 . </P>

When did the aztecs settle in lake texcoco