There is a new Gooddings willow forest in the Santa Cruz River, partly thanks to regular water releases near Irvington Road. This water will be shut off for 6 weeks, starting June 1st, for an upgrade to the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and TCE (Trichloroethylene) treatment facility that is the source of the recycled water.
The Irvington Outfall (labeled #4 on the map below) is one of four outfalls in Tucson along the Santa Cruz River that release recycled water into the river to support surface flows, contribute to groundwater recharge, and enhance riparian habitat. Unlike the other outfalls that release treated wastewater, this outfall releases remediated groundwater into the river.
Tucson Water just recently shared news of this pause in water releases with Watershed and other stakeholders. We wanted to share this information with you so that our community can be aware of changes in the river. We will be closely monitoring this site, as it is the location of a fairly extensive new riparian forest with hundreds of Gooddings willows, providing cooling shade with canopies 30 feet tall.
The PFAS treatment upgrade is a necessary and important project that must begin on this timeline, but unfortunately, the timing corresponds with our hottest and driest part of the year. We hope the Goodding willow forest is resilient enough to make it through this dry spell. Fortunately, the willows are also tapping into high groundwater levels that are flowing close to the surface.
Groundwater levels have drastically risen in this area thanks to recharge projects upstream, including decades of recharge by the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation. The San Xavier District and San Xavier Co-op Farm have been receiving Colorado River water deliveries through a water rights settlement act intended to mitigate the depletion of their water supply along the Santa Cruz River due to colonial development, mining, and farming.
Watershed recently surveyed the new willow forest, through a community science project with members of our River Run Network. We will be going out once again to survey the area on July 30th, 5:30 - 7:30pm. Learn more and register for the event here!