The Santa Cruz River, a vital waterway traversing Pima County, has made a decade's worth of strides towards ecological health, according to the latest annual report by the Sonoran Institute, Pima County, and the City of Tucson. Dubbed "Ten Years of Clean Water," the 11th annual Living River Report illustrates the river's transformation since major wastewater treatment upgrades in 2014. Prior to these efforts, the river bore a greasy film with scarce signs of life, but today, it's a bubbling hub for biodiversity.
Improvements to the Santa Cruz are not just hyperbole. "The quality of the water is stable," Eleonora Demaria, chief hydrologist at the Pima County Regional Flood Control District (RFCD), told the Pima County Newsroom. The water now supports an intricate ecosystem, providing habitat for a variety of native species. Among the thriving creatures are 235 bird species spotted in 2023 alone and 39 distinct dragonfly species. Moreover, the river has become a much-loved home to the bobcat population, with data revealing these felines largely confine their activity to the river's vicinity.
This resurgence of wildlife has allowed the RWRD to scale back some elements of their monitoring, a testament to the improved environmental stability. Aquatic macroinvertebrates are now assessed every five years, as opposed to annually, reflecting their population's robustness. Despite these rollbacks, the river's water quality continues to be closely watched, with RWRD conducting quarterly testing at four key points along its span.
Among the promising development outlined in the report, is the increase in efficiency of the water reclamation process by the RWRD, the bolstered population of the rare Gila chub, and the ongoing presence of the endangered Gila topminnow. There's also buzz about a planned pedestrian bridge by the RFCD that will enhance public access to the riverbanks, strengthening community connections to this renewed natural asset.
The redevelopment of the former Roger Road Water Reclamation Facility site remains a pivotal project. The Wastewater department has secured an EPA grant for its cleanup, aiming to redevelop nearly 50 acres near the river. The Santa Cruz River's story is not solely about ecology but about fostering a sense of ownership and appreciation within the community, as detailed by the Pima County official website. To this end, programs like the Living River of Words engage students in creative pursuits, inspiring them to translate their river experiences into art and poetry.
Community involvement is integral to the river's ongoing welfare, with a call to action for the Santa Cruz River Cleanup set for Oct. 12. Participants are encouraged to join through the Sonoran Institute's website in an initiative to remove 2,000 pounds of trash from the river. The 2024 Living River Report, along with a supplemental report documenting progress from 2013 to 2023, can be downloaded in both English and Spanish, offering a comprehensive view of the river's past, present, and hopeful future.
