WINSLOW AREA — County staff updated the Board of Supervisors on progress toward design work for the Winslow Levee project on the Little Colorado River, including survey, aerial mapping and an extensive geotechnical investigation completed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
A county presenter identified as Public Works staff member said the project’s estimated design cost is just over $7 million, with a federal share of roughly $4.5 million and a county share of about $2.5 million. The presentation noted that portions of the county share may be satisfied as work-in-kind, such as survey and aerial mapping.
Why this matters: the Winslow Levee project is intended to provide flood-risk reduction and infrastructure protection around the Little Colorado River; the design and geotechnical work are prerequisites to securing construction funding and progressing to later design phases.
What staff reported:
- Survey and aerial mapping: The county hired a consultant team to perform aerial mapping and set aerial panel control points across the project area; the work produces the photographic and geospatial baseline required by the Corps for design.
- Control points: The survey established four primary control points tied to published benchmarks and 15 secondary control points to be used as construction-grade benchmarks during design and future construction.
- Geotechnical investigation: Conducted under the Corps’ direction, the subsurface investigation included borings, test pits and soil sampling across the existing levee alignment and identified borrow areas. The county noted the investigation was extensive because the project depends on soil characteristics for the engineered levee/embankment design.
- Schedule: Staff shared a preliminary schedule provided by the Corps: a 35% design milestone targeted in mid-2026, a 65% milestone in a subsequent year and a 95% design expected in late 2029. The Corps described this as a conservative, worst-case timeline; the Corps is finalizing the project management plan, and staff said additional, updated schedule information will be provided as the plan is finalized.
Board reaction: Board members thanked staff and requested periodic updates. No vote was required; the presentation was informational.