Phoenix Habitat Restoration Projects Spur Cross Ranch Cave Creek (Estergard) Regional Tree and Shade Summit March 9, 2010
Desert Riparian Ecosystems Healthy riparian areas like this once existed along most rivers in the region. The Upper San Pedro River supports an ecosystem that includes wildlife corridors from the mountains to the river.
Prior to dam construction and groundwater overdraft, many streams were perennial The meandering channel included sandbars and backwaters. Cottonwood, willow and mesquite forests, and marshes filled the floodplain. Historic Conditions
Habitat Decline Factors Upstream dams, drought (climate change), and urban impacts: groundwater overdraft, floodplain encroachment, habitat loss, modified hydrology, wildcat dumping, landfills, mining, channelization, bank stabilization, invasive species USGS
Southwestern Riparian Trend 1850 Southwest increasingly urban 1940 Arid Southwest riparian habitat = contributes significantly to the biological integrity, including biodiversity of our Nations waters ( USFWS, 1993 ) Restoration of riparian ecosystems in the Sonoran Desert is Critical ( Nature Conservancy ) 2000
Utah Major Arizona Water Sheds ARIZONA Salt River Watershed 13,000 square miles Joins Gila River west of Phoenix Verde River Watershed Flagstaff Phoenix Salt River Watershed New Mexico Gila River Watershed Tucson Greater Phoenix, AZ Metropolitan Area and Salt River Project System
Phoenix Habitat Restoration Projects Significant Man-made impacts on the Watershed Man-made structures upstream of Phoenix 6 Water Conservation ( storage ) Dams 1 Irrigation Diversion Dam Significant / Explosive Urbanization since 1850 Greater Phoenix, AZ Metropolitan Area and Salt River Project System
Restoring Riparian Habitat Past: Historic Ferry in Tempe Present: Bridge Crossing in Phoenix Potential: Restored Habitat
Tres Rios N Tres Rios Flood Control Levee Tres Rios Flow Regulating Wetlands Riparian Corridors Tres Rios Overbank Wetlands Tres Rios Demonstration Cobble Wetlands 91 st Avenue Tres Rios Demonstration Hayfield Wetlands Open Water Marshes The Tres Rios Environmental Restoration Project is a unique restoration effort in Arizona where the three rivers ( Tres Rios ), the Salt, the Gila and the Agua Fria, meet. This long awaited project provides flood protection, improve water quality, and restore riparian habitat by creating numerous wetlands and riparian areas and corridors throughout the Tres Rios area. The Full Scale Flow Regulating and Overbank Wetlands work together as a critical system component of the overall project.
Rio Salado Rio Salado 2003 Rio Salado 2005 Rio Salado 2007
Rio Salado Oeste Before Water supply ( Storm Water / Treated Effluent ) River channel restored Revegetation Invasive species removed Gravel pits restored ( in floodplain ) After (Rio Salado Examples) Acres Restored Cottonwood - Willow ( 375 ) Mesquite ( 417 ) Wetlands ( 190 ) Riparian Scrub ( 296 ) Scrub shrub ( 56 ) Channel ( 170 )
US Army Corps Restoration Plan - Rio Salado Oeste 19th Avenue to 51st Avenue
US Army Corps Restoration Plan - Rio Salado Oeste 51st Avenue to 83rd Avenue
Community Involvement
Long-Term Benefits Aesthetics Environmental Education Revegetation Public Recreation Habitat Restoration Flood Protection
US Army Corps Questions?