Arizona Restored Little Green Valley Fen
The U.S. Forest Service completed a $1.2 million project to rehabilitate 45 acres of wetland in Arizona.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in National Parks
Live Poll
Do you believe funding environmental restoration is a reliable way to protect your area's water supply?
In April 2026, the U.S. Forest Service finalized a $1.2 million restoration project at the Little Green Valley Fen in Arizona. This initiative successfully restored 45 acres of wetland to improve water retention for the Tonto Creek watershed.
Why it matters
The project addresses severe erosion caused by historical road construction and peat extraction that previously drained the meadow's groundwater. By stabilizing the landscape, the effort ensures better regulation of water movement within a critical regional supply system.
The restoration covered 70 total acres, including 45 acres of specific wetland, and corrected a 20-foot-high erosive head cut that had drained the area. This site is one of only two known fens of its specific type in the state of Arizona.
The players
U.S. Forest Service
An agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands.
The details
Crews reshaped the land to restore the natural floodplain and prevent water from rushing through channels, thereby encouraging soil infiltration. The work is designed to return an estimated 435 million liters of water annually to the natural system that feeds the Tonto Creek watershed.
Timeline
Construction work was completed in April 2026.
Roadmap
This project aligns with broader federal initiatives to restore degraded natural infrastructure and maintain essential hydrological functions. It represents a shift toward active intervention in land management to preserve rare ecosystems that are increasingly vulnerable to environmental shifts.
Visitors to the Tonto National Forest should note that the restoration area is part of a delicate ecosystem requiring ongoing protection. Those interested in local geography can visit the site located approximately 100 miles from Metro Phoenix to observe the recovered floodplain.
The takeaway
Restoring natural floodplains provides a cost-effective method for sustaining groundwater levels in arid climates. Implementing such landscape-scale repairs is crucial for stabilizing ecosystems that support broader watershed health.
Further reading
Learn more about conservation efforts on public lands in our National Parks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
Live Poll
Do you believe funding environmental restoration is a reliable way to protect your area's water supply?
