The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded the city of Flagstaff $52 million to complete the long-planned Rio de Flag Flood Control Project.
The Rio de Flag is a small river that runs through Flagstaff. The flood-control project has been in development for almost 20 years, which has included feasibility studies and the first phase of construction. Now that Flagstaff has the funding, the city is hoping to start the final phase of construction this summer.
Flagstaff spokeswoman Jessica Drum says the river has posed a serious flood risk for years, especially during monsoon months and after heavy snowfall.
“The Rio de Flag runs right next to City Hall, so and then right through our historic downtown, and the NAU campus. So you really hit a historic neighborhood, City Hall, main parts of downtown, Northern Arizona University and the BNSF Railway,” Drum said.
Drum said that while this is an Army Corps project, the city will be working closely with them throughout construction.