Coconino County Project Underway To Reduce Sediment Production On The Museum Fire Burn Area

A Coconino County Flood Control District project to reduce on-national forest sediment production and transport above and below Mt. Elden Estates is underway. The U.S. Forest Service Museum Fire Sediment Reduction Project broke ground in late April and is expected to be completed this fall. The three-and-a-half million dollar project is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and includes grade stabilization and watershed restoration work to reduce sediment production and transport. Without a reduction in these very high levels of sediment, any expansion of the floodwater conveyances within the City of Flagstaff will not be effective at reducing the level of floodwater impacting homes. Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Patrice Horstman says “this is another critical sediment-reduction project that is being built for the benefit of residents in Mt. Elden Estates, Lockett Ranches, and downstream communities.” She adds, “the project will mitigate erosion and sediment transport on national forest land. I’d like to thank the Forest Service for their commitment to mitigating post-wildfire flooding in Museum area neighborhoods.”