Santa Clara Pueblo (SCP) – Flood Hazard Mitigation and Creek Restoration
Marc McIntosh
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM)
Phoenix, AZ
Authors: Garrett Altmann (SCP), David Turk and Marc McIntosh (AECOM)
Over the past 20 years, wildfires impacted 90% of SCP forests. Compounding these disasters, post-fire flooding devastated the canyon, an area historically relied upon for recreation, economic revenue, and spiritual sanctuary. The 2011 Las Conchas Fire became the largest fire in state history to devastate the SCP canyon, causing its closure for the past decade. The restoration efforts in the canyon have received federal funding including the funding for this project that was provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
AECOM implemented a collaborative watershed recovery strategy integrating innovative bioengineering and flood hazard mitigation techniques to help restore the watershed and creek by designing nature-based stream crossings and restoration structures using locally sourced materials to improve access, mitigate flooding, and improve the ecosystem.
AECOM met SCP’s objectives of supporting canyon restoration and improving public safety in the canyon. Based on the project impact, SCP recently reopened the canyon and reestablished their connection to land, heritage, and livelihood. Through innovative engineering technology and principles, combined with community and cultural integration, this project exhibits the benefits of nature-based restoration efforts that can be achieved with federal support on tribal lands.
About Marc McIntosh
Marc has over 25 years of experience with a background in water resources and general civil engineering with extensive experience in managing flood hazard mitigation projects including master planning and design of flood control facilities, including 1D/2D modeling, channel stabilization, erosions/scour mitigation, dam/levee rehabilitation and EAP’s, bridge/culvert hydraulics and multi-agency coordination. He has provided services on water resource projects for tribal, federal, state, local and private clients throughout the US with a focus on the southwestern US.