SANTA CRUZ RIVER

The Santa Cruz River begins in the Basin and Range region of southern Arizona, then turns south on its way through a 35 mile loop of northern Mexico, before reentering the United States near Nogales, Arizona. The river basin covers approximately 8,600 square miles in Arizona, moving northwest through southern and central Arizona. The Alliance is focused on the lower section of the Santa Cruz River, from the Pima-Pinal County line to its terminus at the Gila River, 35 miles southwest of Phoenix... According to the July, 2010, Santa Cruz River Data Collection Report ("the Report"), many studies have been conducted along the Santa Cruz River, but few have focused on the lower section within Pinal County. Once it enters Pinal County, the river is characterized by "lessening stream" behavior, where it disappears, "except in times of heavy storm flows when it has been known to destroy everything in its path."

Primary location: Phoenix United States