Flood Control District Hosts Update Meeting for Tres Rios Project

Pictured (l to r): Lt. Gov. Jennifer Allison-Ray (Gila River Indian Community), Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers (Avondale), Rep. Ed Pastor (U.S. 4th District), Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox (Maricopa County District 5), Councilman Claude Mattox (Phoenix District 5), Col. Tom Magness (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers presents the proposed Tres Rios flood control plan.

Col. Tom Magness expresses the Corps' support of the Tres Rios project.

PHOENIX — Representatives from Phoenix, Avondale, the Gila River Indian Community and other local agencies joined Rep. Ed Pastor and Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox on March 18, 2008, to discuss Tres Rios, a continuing project to enhance flood protection and rejuvenate the natural habitat along the Salt and Gila rivers.

The Flood Control District of Maricopa County (District) hosted the meeting and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the lead agency, presented the project’s current status and future plans. Col. Tom Magness, district engineer for the Corps’ Los Angeles District, joined his staff to talk about Tres Rios, a six-mile stretch of the Salt and Gila rivers from approximately 91st Avenue to the Agua Fria River. The project will consist of north bank levee improvements from 105th Avenue to the Agua Fria River, channelization, wildlife habitat areas composed of open water marshes and overbank wetlands, and a pump station which will provide water to the habitat areas.

“I applaud the efforts of the Flood Control District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with the support of area community leaders, to ensure the success of Tres Rios,” said Wilcox. “The project is yet another example of how the rejuvenation of the Salt and Gila rivers will enhance the quality of life for area residents.”

The City of Phoenix is the local sponsor of the project and the District is a participant in the north bank flood control levee. Property along the north side of the Salt and Gila rivers, including the Holly Acres subdivision, will be protected from river flooding by the north levee component.

Tres Rios is being designed and constructed in phases by the Corps. The first phase has been designed and constructed, the second phase is under construction, and the third phase is currently being designed.

“The Flood Control District appreciates the commitment of the Corps on this project,” said Tim Phillips, District chief engineer and general manager. “Like Indian Bend Wash in Scottsdale, Tres Rios represents another collaboration between our two agencies to protect county residents and property from flooding and enhance the environment in the process.”