Assessment, Prioritization, and Design of Riparian Restoration Opportunities in the Middle Santa Cruz River, Arizona

Posted May 13, 2025 Download

This final report, Assessment, Prioritization, and Design of Riparian Restoration Opportunities in the Middle Santa Cruz River, Arizona, summarizes a planning effort led by the Sonoran Institute and funded through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program. The project evaluated opportunities to restore riparian flows along the Middle Santa Cruz River (MSCR) in Pima County by identifying viable, water-secure strategies that deliver ecological and community benefits.

Hydrologic analysis, infrastructure review, and stakeholder engagement confirmed that treated effluent is the most reliable and renewable source of water for restoration. The Green Valley Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) emerged as the best near-term option due to its upstream location, discharge quality, and infrastructure readiness. Three restoration scenarios were developed—ranging from modest to long-term regional strategies—and evaluated using a structured scoring matrix aligned with state permitting pathways.

The project also addressed permitting, recharge opportunities, and tribal considerations. Supported by regional collaboration through the Santa Cruz Watershed Collaborative, the findings demonstrate both strong technical feasibility and stakeholder support.

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