The Inner Basin Waterline Restoration Project stands as a remarkable example of resilience and innovation, transforming devastation into renewal.  Following the 2022 Pipeline Fire in Flagstaff, which ravaged 26,532 acres - including areas still recovering from the 2010 Schultz Fire - post-fire monsoon rains compounded the destruction, unleashing severe flooding and erosion.  This calamity threatened critical infrastructure, including the 120-year-old Inner Basin waterline, which supplies 20% of Flagstaff's summer potable water using gravity-fed snowmelt and springs along with three off-grid shallow groundwater wells.  The loss of this essential pipeline would have imposed daily replacement costs amounting to thousands of dollars, jeopardizing the city's water supply during peak consumption summer months when it is needed most.

Depite the dire circumstances, the City of Flagstaff, in partnership with the US Forest Service, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Jacobs Engineering, and Hunter Contracting Co., undertook an extraordinary effort to restore and fortify this vital infrastructure.  The project's complexity was amplified by its remote location, steep terrain with inclines reaching 50 feet, narrow access roads, and the limited construction season due to harsh winter conditions, construction in mountainous drainage during monsoon season, and additional operational restrictions as a result of Mexican Spotted Owl habitat.

Over two years, the team completed vital upgrades to 46 sites along the waterline - over a 13-mile stretch - employing innovative solutions such as installing 2,288 cubic yards of concrete and 5,326 linear feet of Gabion Baskets to stabilize the terrain and protect against future flooding. Beyond ensuring a reliable water supply for Flagstaff, the project mitigates erosion risks, safeguards the adjacent Transwestern gas line, and enhances safety for hikers and mountain bikers who explore the area's renowned trail system.

This project exemplifies ingenuity, perseverance, and environmental stewardship, addressing immediate needs while providing long-term benefits for the community and ecosystem.  From the ashes of destruction, the Inner Basin Waterline Restoration Project has given new life to a critical resource and an iconic natural area, making it deserving of a national and multiple state awards!

Presentation provided.