Scope of Work
Phase 1 & 2 - Mission Lane to Grant Rd (Completed)
The District is fee owner or has other property rights for maintenance for the portion of the river from Mission Lane to Grant and desires to commence maintenance activities this may after outreach to adjacent neighborhoods, the Loop community and other stakeholders. The Districts final recommendation for maintenance of this section is based on hydraulic evaluation and the results of a vegetation survey that identified the most desirable plant species to preserve was utilized. The goal is to preserve as many of the native trees as possible while restoring the necessary capacity.. It is anticipated that, upon completion of this sediment removal project, the 51 structures that are impacted by the floodplain in today’s conditions (22 commercial, 20 residential, and 9 government structures) will be reduced to 6 or fewer structures. In addition, it is possible that once the lowest floor of these structures, which are owned by the State of Arizona, are measured that one or more will be elevated such that flood damage to the interior is not anticipated The grading plan for channel can be found below.
It is also important to note that the receiving area for the sediment from the river, an old meander north of the Grant Road on the west bank that has been cut off from the river, is planned to become a restoration project after this phase of the sediment removal project is complete. This area, currently a sparsely vegetated hole, will be turned into a neighborhood scale water harvesting project that will serve as an amenity to the adjacent Silver Creek II subdivision as well as a node on the Loop. The placement of the sediment from the river will occur in a way that results in a multi-acre water harvesting basin with terraces that provide for a lush mesquite bosque in the lower areas with hardier desert species in the upper terraces. The diversion of flow from an adjacent small watershed will reduce the need for long term irrigation, while containing the full flow volume of the 100 year flood. See attached concept plan for the restoration, tentatively called Meander Park.
Phase 3 – 29th Street to Mission Lane (Under Construction)
When measured in terms of public safety and flood damage potential, the flood risk reduction associated with Phase 3 is comparatively small. With respect to trying to balance the desire to preserve vegetation with the need for public safety, the District is approaching the project the same way as the previous Phases. To date, both the hydraulic analysis and vegetation survey have been performed. These have been used to develop a recommended grading plan. There is a net aggradation of approximately 131,000 cubic yards of material in the Phase 2 reach, from 29th Street to Mission Lane. Based on the recommended plan, the amount of material that will remain in the preservation areas after completion is approximately 50,000 cubic yards, with approximately 81,000 cubic yards being removed. The preservation area covers an area of approximately 5.5 acres compared to total river bottom of 24 acres.
It is anticipated that, upon completion of this phase of the project, the 9 structures that are impacted by the floodplain in today’s conditions (8 residential and 1 government structure) will be reduced to zero structures impacted by flooding. The marsh that was created with the discharge of reclaimed water, and associated growth of riparian vegetation, will remain undisturbed. The existing conditions and post-project floodplain maps are below. The sediment from this reach will be deposited at the A mountain landfill. The grading plan for the stock pile is shown below.
Project Documents
Maps
Public Involvement
News
Scope of Work
Grant to Prince Road (In Progress)
The Pima County Regional Flood Control District plans to remove approximately 140,000 cubic yards of sediment from the bed of the Santa Cruz River channel between the Grant Road and Prince Road alignments. The work will tentatively begin Wednesday, Jan. 15 and could last up to three months. Work will take place Monday through Friday from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sediment removed from the bottom of the channel will be transported to an eroded section of riverbank north of Grant Road and used to create a nature park with water harvesting features, native plants and pathways. Crews will preserve stands of desirable vegetation while removing invasive species and other plant life that could contribute to flooding or hamper Flood Control’s response. County-contracted herpetologists will scour the area and hope to relocate dozens of lizards and other reptiles.
As many as 350 trucks per day will enter and exit the Santa Cruz near Juhan Park, 1770 West Copper Street requiring a closure of The Chuck Huckelberry Loop multi-use path at that spot for the duration of the project. The Loop will be open on the weekends.
Project Documents
Grant to Miracle Mile - Inspection Report
Miracle Mile to Sweetwater - Inspection Report
Project Maps
Vegetation Preservation Areas