Projects

Project Name: Adobe Dam/Desert Hills/Apache Wash Area Drainage Master Plan

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Project Manager: Lee Jimenez
Contact by phone at (602) 506-4064 or by email

Project is in Supervisor District:

• District 1: False
• District 2: True
• District 3: True
• District 4: False
• District 5: False

You can find your Supervisor District by clicking here.

Project Type: Study

Project Description:

The Adobe Dam/Desert Hills/Apache Wash Area Drainage Master Study/Plan (ADDHAW ADMS/P) is an update to the 2006 Adobe Dam/Desert Hills Area Drainage Master Plan (ADMP). It covers approximately 135 square miles of watersheds, including Skunk Creek, Desert Hills Wash, and Apache Wash, within the jurisdictions of Phoenix, Glendale, Cave Creek, and Maricopa County. The eastern boundary is Cave Creek Wash, the southern limits are Adobe Dam and upstream of Cave Buttes Dam, and the northern boundaries include the areas contributing to Adobe Dam and Cave Buttes Dam. The western boundary is the drainage divide between Skunk Creek and Deadman Wash/New River. 

The Area Drainage Master Study (ADMS) phase focused on identifying and analyzing existing drainage conditions, sources of flooding, and flood-related hazards within the study area. This phase included three primary components: 

1. Collecting and compiling existing stormwater infrastructure, past flooding events, and drainage complaints to help define and assess known flooding issues in the area. 
2. Developing detailed two-dimensional (2-D) hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) models. 
3. Conducting a flood hazard assessment based on the compiled data and the results of the 2-D H&H modeling. 

Twenty-two (22) drainage issue areas, referred to as Areas of Interest (AOIs), were identified as significant enough to warrant further investigation. The ADMS phase of the project was completed in Fall 2023. 

The Area Drainage Master Plan (ADMP) phase involved evaluating flood mitigation alternatives within the study area based on the findings of the ADMS. This phase included three main components:

1. The ADMP identified viable project options for twenty-two (22) flood-prone AOIs, with four (4) in Phoenix and the rest in unincorporated Maricopa County. 
2. Five (5) of the viable project options were further developed into conceptual plans with cost estimates, including one (1) in Phoenix and four (4) in the County. 
3. Opportunities and constraints were noted for the other seventeen (17) AOIs. 

For the five (5) areas further developed, the goal was to create conceptual-level plans that could lead to a design concept report or preliminary design as part of a capital improvement or grant-funded project. The ADMP phase of the project was completed in August 2025. 

This completed project opens the door for developing flooding mitigation projects that can be directly incorporated into the Capital Improvement Programs of key stakeholders, including the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, City of Phoenix, City of Glendale, Town of Cave Creek, and unincorporated Maricopa County. The success of this plan will rely on partnership, funding, and public involvement.

Last Updated: 8/29/2025 3:02:08 PM