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Winslow Flood Control Project to receive $65M

Project includes removal invasive salt cedar

Published April 11, 2022
Arizona Sen. Krysten Sinema, left, and Col. Julie Balten, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District commander, right, discuss project details regarding the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control project after a site visit and panel presentation April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. The project is receiving more than $65 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to complete design and construction of the levee system. The project also will help remove the invasive plant species, salt cedar, pictured behind them. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Arizona Sen. Krysten Sinema, left, and Col. Julie Balten, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District commander, right, discuss project details regarding the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control project after a site visit and panel presentation April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. The project is receiving more than $65 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to complete design and construction of the levee system. The project also will help remove the invasive plant species, salt cedar, pictured behind them. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Arizona State Park Ranger Kenneth ‘Kenn’ Evans II stands in front of salt cedar at the banks of the Little Colorado River April 11 in Winslow, Arizona. Evans described the negative impacts salt cedar has on flood control and prevention methods in Navajo County, prior to a project site visit and panel presentation about the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control Project. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Arizona State Park Ranger Kenneth ‘Kenn’ Evans II stands in front of salt cedar at the banks of the Little Colorado River April 11 in Winslow, Arizona. Evans described the negative impacts salt cedar has on flood control and prevention methods in Navajo County, prior to a project site visit and panel presentation about the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control Project. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Dense thickets of salt cedar infest the banks and the riverbed of the Little Colorado River April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. The salt cedar, an invasive plant species, will be mostly removed during the Winslow Flood Control Project. According to the U.S. Forest Service, salt cedar disrupts and replaces native plants, degrades native wildlife habitats, drains limited area moisture, and increases wildfire risks. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Dense thickets of salt cedar infest the banks and the riverbed of the Little Colorado River April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. The salt cedar, an invasive plant species, will be mostly removed during the Winslow Flood Control Project. According to the U.S. Forest Service, salt cedar disrupts and replaces native plants, degrades native wildlife habitats, drains limited area moisture, and increases wildfire risks. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten, center, speaks to attendees about the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control project. Also pictured are Winslow City Mayor Roberta Cano, left, and Sen. Krysten Sinema, right, who also discussed goals for the project during a panel discussion and site visit April 11 in Winslow, Arizona. The project area includes about 4.3 miles of flood-risk reduction levee and improvements, located along the Little Colorado River near Winslow. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten, center, speaks to attendees about the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control project. Also pictured are Winslow City Mayor Roberta Cano, left, and Sen. Krysten Sinema, right, who also discussed goals for the project during a panel discussion and site visit April 11 in Winslow, Arizona. The project area includes about 4.3 miles of flood-risk reduction levee and improvements, located along the Little Colorado River near Winslow. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

The flowing Little Colorado River is pictured April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. The Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control Project is slated to receive more than $65 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to complete design and construction. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

The flowing Little Colorado River is pictured April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. The Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control Project is slated to receive more than $65 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to complete design and construction. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Dense thickets of Tamarisk, or salt cedar, infest the banks and the riverbed of the Little Colorado River April 11 in Winslow, Arizona. Salt cedar is an invasive plant species, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Salt cedar consumes lots of water, grows between 12 to 15 feet in height, is often covered with salt secretions and increases the chance and severity of fires and floods in the area. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Dense thickets of Tamarisk, or salt cedar, infest the banks and the riverbed of the Little Colorado River April 11 in Winslow, Arizona. Salt cedar is an invasive plant species, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Salt cedar consumes lots of water, grows between 12 to 15 feet in height, is often covered with salt secretions and increases the chance and severity of fires and floods in the area. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

The Little Colorado River flows underneath bridges at mile marker 345 April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. Salt cedar, an invasive plant species along the banks and riverbed, increases the chance and severity of fires and floods in Navajo County. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

The Little Colorado River flows underneath bridges at mile marker 345 April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. Salt cedar, an invasive plant species along the banks and riverbed, increases the chance and severity of fires and floods in Navajo County. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Winslow City Mayor Roberta Cano and Navajo County leaders welcome Senator Krysten Sinema and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten during a site visit and panel presentation about the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control Project April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. The project is receiving more than $65 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to complete design and construction. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Winslow City Mayor Roberta Cano and Navajo County leaders welcome Senator Krysten Sinema and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten during a site visit and panel presentation about the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control Project April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. The project is receiving more than $65 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to complete design and construction. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Col. Julie Balten, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District commander, walks near the Little Colorado River train crossing during a site visit and panel presentation of the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control Project April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. Balten leads about 750 military and civilian personnel operating in a 226,000-square-mile area of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Col. Julie Balten, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District commander, walks near the Little Colorado River train crossing during a site visit and panel presentation of the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control Project April 11 in Winslow, Ariz. Balten leads about 750 military and civilian personnel operating in a 226,000-square-mile area of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

Sen. Krysten Sinema and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten during the Winslow Flood Control Project site visit and panel presentation April 11 in Winslow, Arizona. The project is receiving more than $65 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to complete design and construction. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)
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Sen. Krysten Sinema and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten during the Winslow Flood Control Project site visit and panel presentation April 11 in Winslow, Arizona. The project is receiving more than $65 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to complete design and construction. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, Los Angeles District PAO)

WINSLOW, Arizona – The Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control project is slated to receive more than $65 million in federal funding this year, said Sen. Krysten Sinema, during a panel presentation April 11 in Winslow.

 

The additional funding – announced by the U.S. Army in January – is being received through the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, or IIJA. This will provide full funding for the project to complete both its design and construction.

 

During the event, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten, Winslow City Mayor Roberta “Birdie” Cano and leaders with Navajo County discussed details about the levee reconstruction project and its positive impact on the area, including the removal of an invasive plant species.

 

“Currently, about 5,000 people – families who live, work and call this area their home – along with critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, nursing homes and utilities, are located within a flood plain and are at the potential risk of flooding.” Balten said.

 

The project area includes about 4.3 miles of flood-risk reduction levees and improvements, located along the Little Colorado River near Winslow.

 

“The completion of this project will be a win for this community – not only by reducing the potential flood risk associated with the river, but also by creating stability, economic vitality and future growth for the area,” Balten said.

 

The project also will have a positive environmental impact by removing Tamarisk, or salt cedar, an invasive plant species.

 

“The plant leeches out to rich, nutrient soils and waters, then deposits salt, so that the native plants aren’t able to compete because of the amount of salt deposited into the soil,” said Arizona State Park Ranger Kenn Evans II.

 

Dense thickets of salt cedar infest the banks and riverbed of the Little Colorado River. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service categories the plant as an “invasive weed” from Eurasia, which can disrupt and replace native plants, degrade native wildlife habitats, drain limited areas of moisture and increase wildfires.

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“The plant, as it spreads out also catches a lot of fine sediment, which reduces the carrying capacity of the Little Colorado River water flow,” Evans said as he pointed to the riverbank. “Through this decrease in river water-carrying capacity downstream, it increases the risk of flooding in the area.”

 

Typically, Corps’ projects are funded for design and then for construction. With the additional monies being received from the IIJA, the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood-Control project was funded for both the design and construction at one time in fiscal year 2022.

 

“We are planning to have the design agreement signed with Navajo County by the end of year,” said Priyanka Wadhawan, LA District project manager.

 

For more information about LA District’s programs and projects, visit www.spl.usace.army.mil.  

 

For more information on the invasive impact of salt cedar, visit www.fs.usda.gov