RIO SALADO RESTORATION AND RIVER MANAGEMENT PROJECTS TOUR

Extended Half day:        
Depart 11:30AM
Return 5:00PM

Rio Salado, a.k.a. the Salt River, flowed through central Phoenix and into the Gila River until dams were built upstream during the first quarter of this century.  The water diversion resulted in a loss of plant and wildlife habitat and turned the area into a mining and dumping eyesore.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with the surrounding communities, designed the restoration and construction plans.

This tour will traverse the Salt River providing opportunities to witness the existing conditions and various stages of restoration.  After a brief pause near the confluence of the Salt and Gila Rivers, the tour will head upstream to a constructed wetlands to experience a sample of the project concepts.  We’ll take a guided 10’minute walk along the shaded riparian trail before continuing up river in the air-conditioned to observe the current river uses.  Our next stop at the Rio Salado Gateway recreation area will include a background presentation by local project managers.  The tour will continue with a windshield survey of the Salt River adjacent to Sky Harbor International Airport, a controversial area of the river.  Our final destination will be Tempe Town Lake, where we will gain additional knowledge about its function within the river restoration plan.

Cost: $65 per person (Includes Boxed Lunch on the way)

Minimum Number: 15
Maximum Number: 55