RFCD Riparian Habitat Restoration

Riparian Habitat Restoration header image with collage of photos of riparian habitat.

Only a century ago the Santa Cruz River flowed year-round at San Xavier del Bac and near downtown Tucson. Rillito Creek and portions of Tanque Verde Creek, Sabino Creek, and even Pantano Wash were also perennial. High water tables supported extensive forests of mesquite, cottonwood, and willow. Beaver swam in Tanque Verde Creek.

Habitat loss due to stream flow disappearance, groundwater pumping, floodplain development, erosion, and urban development have significantly altered the biologically rich and diverse riparian corridors of eastern Pima County. Wherever feasible, Pima County supports riparian restoration in our areas river corridors and floodplains.

There are new opportunities to recreate or enhance some of our river systems and their associated floodplains. We are actively working to restore sensitive environments in riverine corridors and floodplains throughout our community. The watercourses in Pima County continue to serve as critical habitat and important community areas.

Please see the active links below for more information for selected projects. Many of the projects are still being planned and designed, so more information will be posted as it becomes available. For a brief summary of several of our more significant pending projects and competed projects, see our Riparian Projects brochure (PDF format). More detailed information on projects can be found from the list of projects below.