Submitted by Archer Western Contractors

This project was designed as a way to restore the region’s natural wetlands and further treat discharge from a nearby treatment plant. It eliminates the need for expensive supplemental treatment, saving taxpayers up to $300 million.

Photo:Todd Photography

480 acres of emergent wetlands were constructed, plus public areas like multi-use trails, picnic areas and an environmental education visitor center. As the largest man-made wetlands in the world, this project offers a living research platform for research on natural water treatment.

100,000 aquatic plants and over 700 riparian trees and shrubs were planted to support fish and waterfowl. Crews installed a large temporary irrigation system, retention ponds and two large mobile pumps to get the plants established.

Owner: City of Phoenix
General Contractor: Archer Western Contractors
Construction Manager: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Design: Damon S. Williams Associates
Consultant: WASS Gerke + Associates
Subcontractors: JSA Construction; Native Resources Intl.; Rural Electric; CMC Rebar; American Fence Co.