Project Information

Project Information:
Project Location:
Sinclair wash is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. It is approximate 7 miles long and originates near Woody Mountain and runs east through Fort Tuthill Park along the Flagstaff Urban Trail System. The wash travels northeast through Northern Arizona University, and continues until it meets with the Rio De Flag.
Field Evaluation:
Identify Problematic Areas:
The first task in the Sinclair Wash riparian habitat enhancement feasibility study was to conduct several site walks in order to identify problematic areas. Then, the team decieded to focus at 3 problematic areas which are:

Surveying:

Surveying was conducted in order to get the problematic areas boundaries, elevations, and areas in order to create a topographic map and use this data for further analysis.

Geomorphology:

An initial part of the design analysis was doing a stream reach evaluation as well as a geomorphic survey of every reach of Sinclair wash. The geomorphic values obtained included channel top width, bottom width, depth, entrenchment ratio, and channel sinuosity. The quantities acquired are useful at the design phase for comparison of geometric values to gather cut and fill values and assess new entrenchment and sinuosity values.
Hydraulic Analysis:
HEC-RAS:
Two areas of interest were chosen for hydraulic analysis to obtain values such as channel velocities and normal depths of flow. The areas were surveyed and the geometry was input into HEC-RAS (Hydraulic Engineering Center’s -Rivers Analysis System) with the discharge values from the 2, 25, and 100-year flows for the specific areas. Proposed design alternatives were also run in a HEC-RAS model, and the existing and proposed values were compared for feasibility of the new designs.

Vegetation:
During the site walk the team identified the invasive and native plants at Sinclair Wash. After that, a research was conducted about invasive plants removal methods, and costs of planting native plants.
Implementing Designs:
After conducting the HEC-RAS analysis, the team implemented some designs in order to enhance the flow of the channel and prevent many problems such as erosion, sedimentation, and flooding.
More information are provided in the Report.

Last Update:

May 12, 2016