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County reports modest monsoon, drought easing; Ephraim and Portrero Creek projects move forward
Summary
Santa Cruz County’s flood-control staff reported lower-than-average August rainfall but countywide precipitation improved drought classification in parts of the county. Consultants are vetting alternatives for the Ephraim Canyon and Catalampi Canyon projects; the Portrero Creek Letter of Map Revision remains with FEMA for review.
Santa Cruz County flood-control staff told the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 3 that August brought measurable monsoon rainfall countywide but totals generally trailed the long-term average for Nogales.
Staff reported Nogales received just under 3 inches of rain in August, compared with an historical August average of about 4 inches. Precipitation gauges across the county recorded rain, and drought conditions improved in some areas from "extreme" to "severe," though dry areas remain.
Floodplain activity: the district received 183 flood-hazard information requests in August; 159 were for unincorporated Santa Cruz County and 24 were in Nogales. Staff reported 16 floodplain-use permits were issued in August (11 in unincorporated county, five in Nogales). No site reviews or drainage complaints were reported for the month.
Project updates: county consultants (CMG) are analyzing alternative structures for the Ephraim Canyon project to meet FEMA grant objectives; hydraulic feasibility of several concepts is being vetted in coordination with the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. For Portrero Creek, staff said FEMA returned comments on July 3, 2025; the county’s consultant responded Aug. 18 and the project is awaiting additional FEMA review. The county is also conducting a high-level feasibility memo for Catalampi Canyon to evaluate off-channel attenuation basins as an alternative to a jurisdictional dam; eliminating a dam design could avoid the need to account for a 500-year event and reduce costs. Staff estimated, subject to state and federal approvals, that construction could begin in about a year to 18 months once designs and grant-scope updates are approved.
Board members asked about schedules and costs. Staff said initial dam concepts proved costlier than originally anticipated, prompting the alternative off-channel basin concept. The county is coordinating with AZDEMA and FEMA on scope updates before final design and construction procurement.
