First Phases Near Completion on Rio Salado Project
The first two phases of the Rio Salado Habitat restoration project are due to be unveiled early next year, and Valley residents should be delighted.
The once barren, trash-strewn stretch of river bed between Phoenix’s 16th Street and 19th Avenue is gone. In its place will soon be an oasis of carefully tended trees, shady rest areas and walking trails running beside a ribbon of clean water— the Salt River! When all phases of the project are finished, the Salt will flow through the Valley year round, just as it did before the Granite Reef Dam was built.
Equipment from Empire is helping with this transformation. Native Resources International, headquartered in North Phoenix, is responsible for planting and nurturing acres of trees that will provide bank-to-bank greenery. Miles of irrigation of pipe will water the new saplings— some of which were planted using native seeds gathered in the area — until their roots reach the water table a few feet beneath the riverbed.
The engineers who designed the project believe that once firmly rooted, the trees should be able to survive the occasional flooding that may occur. Most of the time, the river will be a low-water channel.
Visitors to the area will get an unexpected treat. In the past two years, wild birds and other animals typically found in wetland habitats have quietly migrated to the area. Dozens of species of birds have moved in, and there’s even a family of beavers living among the reeds not far from where the Central Avenue bridge crosses the river. This influx of wildlife will continue as the habitat matures.
Human access will be limited to the bank areas, where contractors are building trails, ponds, streams, shade structures, parking areas and other amenities. Trees planted between the trails and nearby commercial buildings will keep visitors enclosed in a park-like setting.
Some of the vacant land surrounding the area has already been designated for parks and golf courses, but other parcels will be available for private development. Cities like San Antonio and Boise have developed their revitalized river areas into vibrant destinations spots, and it’s likely that Phoenix will follow that path. Where people go to play, restaurants, clubs and shops soon follow.
This type of restoration project — and specialty contractors like Native Resources — are destined for bigger roles in the construction industry in the future, according to David Mullaney, Empire Director of Sales. As populated areas mature, the demand for maintenance and restoration projects increases.
Quality-of-life projects like Rio Salado are generating more interest all the time. In fact, the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community currently has a similar project on the drawing board for the stretch of the Salt River running through its land.
For more information about the Rio Salado Project, see the City of Phoenix website.
(Left) Shallow wells provide a year-around supply of water in the river bottom. This stream is near Central Avenue. The inset photo shows the water flowing into the reeds on the other side of the service road.
