Originally published in Tucson Local Media
The El Rio Preserve in Marana will soon benefit from much-needed bank protection along the nearby Santa Cruz River after an agreement was struck between the town and Pima County.
Map of the El Rio Preserve
The Marana Town Council recently approved an intergovernmental agreement with Pima County Regional Flood Control District that will bring much needed updates to the El Rio Preserve. The agreement focuses on bank protection along the preserve, construction of ‘bird islands’, and having the ability to control water within the reserve via a sluice gate.
Both municipalities also agree to a land exchange which allows each to maintain their end of the agreement.
“The IGA gives a vehicle for land trades so we can build on land that is ours,” said Deirdre Brosnihan P.E., project manager for the flood control district. “Marana can now work with the Cortaro-Marana Irrigation District to have a second mechanism to get more water into the preserve when the lake starts to dry down.”
As a part of the agreement, Marana will transfer a portion of land to the county flood control district that is necessary for bank protection construction along the Santa Cruz River to help mitigate any future flooding issues. The county is also obliged to build a drainage channel with a sluice gate from the Santa Cruz River that will run under Coachline Road and drain into the El Rio Preserve. Upon completion, Marana will be responsible for maintaining the canal and gate.
