Rio Salado River Restoration

"Creating a Revitalized River Corridor"

What is the best way to restore the Salt River in Arizona to the natural state that existed many years before?

MWH worked on this task with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Rio Salado River Restoration program included the restoration of the Salt River by reintroducing a small, flowing stream and natural habitat within the riverbed.

Project Details

MWH prepared construction level drawings, specifications, an MCACES Gold Cost Estimate and an Engineer's estimate of the project schedule for Phase 2 of the Low Flow Channel in the Rio Salado River Basin. The project goals were to:

• Provide additional flood capacity for the Salt River by constructing an earthen low flow channel between the current riverbanks. This compensated for the increased roughness of the river system, resulting from the habitat restoration program.
• Provide adequate channel and over-bank stabilization. At the same time, MWH maintained an aesthetic natural appearance to blend into the habitat restoration.
• Incorporate original design features prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. MWH also coordinated local sponsor involvement on the project.

To help accomplish these goals, MWH prepared construction level plans and specifications with the following features:

• Designed a 200-foot-wide Low Flow Channel to transmit approximately 12,200 cfs. The length of the designed structure was approximately 2.7 miles long. It is being excavated in native materials with channel banks sinuous to the Rio Salado riverbank.
• Incorporated subsurface roller-compacted grade control structures and guide dike channels. These will minimize impacts caused from damaging floods typical of the desert environment.
• Prepared an initial site grading plan for the bank restoration area. MWH also determined suitable stockpile locations for excavated materials used in the restoration phase.

Once completely restored, the river area will support native wildlife and plant life — as well as create a revitalized river corridor through central Phoenix, Arizona.