Coconino County and the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently broke ground on the first Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) project, which is designed to enhance flood mitigation in the Brandis/Thames corridor in the Schultz flood area.
Construction began during in late-March and – weather permitting – is expected to be complete by June 30, in time for the upcoming monsoon season. Crews are expected to work daily between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Flaggers, signage and other traffic control devices will be in place as needed to direct vehicles through the construction zone.
The $3.5 million project is funded by the NRCS’s EWP program and the County’s Flood Control District. Earlier this month, the District’s Board of Directors approved financial and technical agreements with the NRCS and a special-use permit with the U.S. Forest Service, which are required for construction of on- and off-forest flood mitigation measures in the Brandis/Thames flood corridor.
“The Brandis/Thames project is an important milestone for the County’s flood mitigation efforts in the Schultz flood area,” said County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Liz Archuleta, whose district includes the Schultz flood area. “After nearly three years of analysis, design, engineering, securing the necessary funding and drainage easements, we are finally able to move forward. This first EWP project will help minimize the flooding threat to lives, public infrastructure, utilities and private property.”
Located in the northern section of the Schultz flood area west of US 89, the Brandis/Thames mitigation project includes the creation of sediment reduction measures on U.S. Forest Service property and the construction of a floodwater channel along Brandis Way.
Designed to accommodate a five-year, 24-hour storm event, this project will significantly reduce sediment from the forest and stabilize existing flow paths, providing additional safety and reducing the impacts of flooding during and after storm events. The entire length of the channel through the neighborhood will be lined with material that foster re-vegetation and reduce the chance of erosion.
The project also improves the local water system and secures overhead utility lines, which have since been relocated underground to protect against flood events. Doney Park Water, APS, Unisource, Century Link and Suddenlink joined forces with the County to reduce the impacts from flooding, improve service and improve the area.
Another critical component of this project is improving floodwater drainage at the confluence of Brandis Way and US 89 – a location that has long been impacted by flooding. During flood events, residents along Brandis Way and emergency responders have lost their sole access to properties in the neighborhood.
The County, working closely with the Arizona Department of Transportation, developed a drainage plan that will reduce these impacts. The project could also help property values, which have been negatively impacted due to ongoing flooding.
The County contracted with Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc. to provide overall project management of this large, complex project. Other contractors performing the work, such as Eagle Mountain Construction, are locally based.
Brandis Way continues to be impacted by heavy rainfall since the 15,000-acre Schultz Fire and flooding that occurred during the summer of 2010. On Sept. 12, 2012 floodwater and debris from a late monsoon season storm forced the closure of the Brandis Way and one southbound lane of US 89 for several hours. In addition, the floodwater eroded a 5-foot gully along the roadway and deposited about 2 feet of mud in several property owners’ driveways and the roadway.
“I would like to thank the property owners and residents throughout these neighborhoods for their support and ask for their continued cooperation and patience as we work to complete this vital component of Schultz Flood mitigation,” Supervisor Archuleta said. “I also want to thank the NRCS for providing significant funding and support for the Schultz Flood area mitigation efforts.”