The Mattie Canyon watershed experiences erosive conditions due to historical agricultural diversions, drainage of rural dirt roads, and historical grazing of hillslopes. Existing drainage of the rural roads is contributing to concentrated flows downstream which reduces hillslope vegetation and creates erosive rills and gullies. Modification of road drainage features will help spread flows across downstream hillslopes to support vegetation and reduce erosion that channels sediment into the adjacent Cienega Creek. We will be utilizing local and imported rock material to build media lunas, one rock dams, rock run downs, or other similar rock features. Access to the treatment locations is along a dirt road, largely on Arizona State Land adjacent to BLM’s Las Cienegas NCA managed lands. This is a 2-day event with an overnight stay on-site.
This event is organized through WMG’s River Run Network (RRN). The RRN is a program that honors the heritage of our rivers and the value that water holds for the peoples of Southern Arizona. We acknowledge the indigenous communities that have respected and stewarded our rivers for thousands of years and the Pascua Yaqui, Tohono O’odham, and Latino communities that continue to steward the rivers today. Members work together to learn about and steward our rivers through creek walks, restoration activities, river clean-ups, and educational workshops. If you are not yet a member, we will add you to the RRN when you register for this event. Membership is free and includes a regular e-newsletter with upcoming events.