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Water Conservation and Stormwater Management
While Arizona is known for its proactive approach, there’s still a chance of drought conditions occurring with Arizona and Nevada being the first to feel the effects. During rainy seasons, the Flood Control District redirects large amounts of stormwater into dams, channels and basins to limit flooding risk and damage to property, homes, businesses and public infrastructure.
However, given the scarcity of water as a resource, FCD is researching innovative ways to conserve water and demonstrate alternative stormwater management techniques.
Most if not all of rain that falls in Maricopa County comes in contact with a District facility providing ample opportunities for water conservation. Stormwater management is a viable tool in flood control for several reasons. The most relevant to the District’ mission is that it helps protect the functionality of over 83 structures the District maintains. The largest threat to the integrity of these structures is land subsidence (or sinking of land), which is caused by excessive groundwater pumping. Ensuring the integrity of FCD structures from land subsidence-related damage can result in costly repairs as well as increased design and construction cost.
Low Impact Landscapes
Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota)
Form: Irregular/spreading
Size: 30'x & W
Flowers: Lavender; late May
Distinct trait: Smooth grey bark/trunk
Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida)
Form: Partially deciduous; rounded
Size: 30' H & W
Flowers: Yellow; early spring
Distinct trait: Slight blue tint develops rough bark, squat leaves
Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina)
Form: Partially deciduous; sprawling
Size: 20'-50' H & 15'-25' W
Flowers: Inconspicuous; spring
Distinct trait: Thorns, rounded leaflets
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
Form: Deciduous; upright
Size: 15'-35' H&W
Flowers: White-pink; late spring-fall
Distinct Trait: Linear leaves, trumpet flowers
Brittlebush (Encilia farinosa)
Form: Rounded
Size: 3'-5' H&W
Flowers: yellow, late winter-spring
Distinct trait: Triangular, silver foliage
Creosote (Larrea tridentata)
Form: Irregular, varying density
Size 3-8' H & W
Flowers: Yellow; spring, with rains
Distinct trait: Smell, fuzzy seed pods
Chuparosa (Justicia californica)
Form: Loose, spreading
Size: 2'-6' H&W
Flowers: Salmon; cool season
Distinct trait: Tubular flower, green succulent stems
Parry's Agave (Agave parryi)
Form: Upright, rigid pineapple leaves
Size: 3' H & W
Flowers: Large, tall spikes, only flowers once
Distinct trait: Short, Spiny margins, texture on leaf
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias subulata)
Form: Upright, rigid green stems
Size: 2'-4' H
Flowers: Pale yellow, spring-fall
Distinct trait: Thin green stems
Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris)
Form: Upright pads, compact
Size: 2' H x 4' W
Flowers: Bright pink; in spring
Distinct trait: Purple tint, pads have flattened top
Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens)
Form: Large, airy bunch grass
Size: 3-5' H &W
Flowers: Tan colored flower spikes
Distinct trait: Leaves approx 1/8" wide
Parry's Penstemon (Penstemon paryi)
Form: Herbaceous perennial; clumping rosettes
Size: 3'-4' H & Narrower width
Flowers: Tall spikes with magenta flowers, Feb-Mar
Distinct trait: Tubular flowers, long triangular leaves
Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)
Form: Irregular, bush
Size: 2'-4' H & W Average, Up to 6'
Flowers: Base is orange, but many varieties; winter/spring
Distinct trait: Paper-like flowers, pointed scrunchy leaves
Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)
Form: Clumping rosette, herbaceous perennial
Size: 1'-2' H
Flowers: Bright yellow; late winter - early spring, occasionally during year
Distinct trait: Fuzzy gray foliage, elongated flower stalks