Middle Magma (WFPO)
Project Description
Federal assistance for the Middle Magma project, which covers 23,860 acres in Pinal County southeast of Queen Creek, Arizona, was authorized by the Chief of NRCS in 2024. The project is currently in the design phase. The purpose of the project is to reduce flood damage (and associated sediment damages) to residential, commercial, and agricultural areas; canals and irrigation systems; and road and railway transportation corridors through implementation of flood damage reduction measures and sound flood risk management planning for the Middle Magma Watershed. Action is needed to achieve reduced damage from floodwater (and associated sediment), reduced erosion potential of channel banks, adequate flood flow capacity, adequate freeboard (i.e. feet above flood level), necessary drainage performance standards, increased public health and safety, and better regional flood mitigation planning. For this project, 4 miles of the Middle Magma Channel (MMC) will be channelized to contain and convey 100-year flood events. The project alignment extends from the downstream end of the Upper Magma Channel to the Central Arizona Project (CAP) Canal overchute; across lands managed by Arizona State Land Department; and through the residential community of Wild Horse Estates and undeveloped private and Bureau of Land Management lands. The MMC terminates at the Anthem at Merrill Ranch community where there is already a fully constructed channel for the MMC from Franklin Road to its downstream terminus.
Contact Information
For further project information please contact:
M. Mick Lane, Arizona NRCS
Address: 300 W Congress St.
Tucson, AZ 85701
Email: monty.lane@usda.gov