Randy Riggins came of age in the Rio Salado. The Arizona native recalls his 1960s' church group being hauled on hayrack rides by his family tractor along the river's dry bottom. In pre-Columbian times, the Hohokan people dug a verdant network of irrigation canals from its tributaries, but over the centuries the Salt River (its English name) lost liquidity. When the first of six upstream dams went up in 1911, the river's waters were diverted for municipal, industrial and agricultural uses. By the 1990s the Salt River had become an arid dumping ground, a sand and gravel mine, a barren channel for the homeless, an urban eyesore.

Then the cities of Phoenix and Tempe called on the Corps of Engineers. In what has become one of the most effective displays of federal and local teamwork throughout the West, the Rio Salado Project is transforming miles of both cities into attractive, useful venues for humans and a hospitable habitat for animals and plants. Besides the obvious economic benefits, the multimillion-dollar project is also renovating civic pride on both banks of the river and beyond, revitalizing neighborhoods and livelihoods.

For many disadvantaged citizens in Phoenix, especially south of the river, the project represents nothing less than environmental justice. "We've always thought it would be a catalyst for some positive things happening in this community," says George Young, chair of the Rio Salado Citizens Advisory Committee.

One of Rio Salado's hallmarks is Tempe Town Lake, a 220-acre manmade oasis finished in 1999. Recently, Riggins visited the two-mile-long city-funded waterway. The former Army combat engineer officer paddled his 18-foot sea kayak up and down the lake. Next to it are three separate areas where the Corps is spearheading extensive environmental restoration. Reflecting on the contrast between the dry riverbed of his youth and the lush riverbanks of today, he said, "I can’t believe this is here."

To make Rio Salado happen, the Corps capitalized on an expansion of its strategic horizons. Traditionally its missions have focused on flood control and navigation, but in the early ‘90s the agency got approval to do environmental restoration. The severely degraded Rio Salado clearly qualified for that new mission.

And so, for the past decade, the L.A. District has been working with Phoenix and Tempe, first in a reconnaissance phase, then a feasibility phase; finally, in 1998, the District recommended a plan for each city. "We couldn't do development things," recalls project manager Mike Ternak, "but we do have restoration authority to make the river more natural and return native plant species and wetlands. They liked the idea - it was a first stepping-stone for them."

The Phoenix section involves a five-mile stretch about 1 1/2 miles south of downtown. The entire habitat restoration project covers 580 acres within the banks of the river and a 50-foot-wide corridor on either side. Construction began in the 2001 fiscal year, a celebration ceremony was held in March and the Corps' first construction contracts have already been advertised.

Funding is coming from several sources. In March 2001 Phoenix voters approved $16 million in bonds to continue cleanup of the riverbed and begin habitat restoration. Maricopa County then approved an additional $7 million to the $11 million it already had committed to continue work on the low-flow channel, which lets the river carry storm water. Finally, in June 2001 Phoenix Mayor Skim Rimsza and Corps officials signed an official construction agreement that allows nearly $86 million in federal and local funds to continue the project in both cities.

Overall, the federal government is paying about 65% of the cost of construction, which is about halfway completed in Phoenix. "We're really pushing to have it finished by late 2004," says Karen Williams, project coordinator for Phoenix. "It takes a long time, so it’s really exciting to see the wonderful wildlife coming to enjoy the habitat."

So far, 18 acres of habitat have been developed, with 60 more acres underway. There’s a 1,000-tree forest with stands of cottonwood and willow, cattails and bulrushes, mesquite groves and desert grasslands and shrubs. The habitat’s streams, ponds and wetlands assume national importance, since they’re critical to the survival of certain fish and wildlife species. Williams says the Audubon Society has spotted 44 bird species there in recent months.

When the areas along the banks are finished, they'll feature a latticework of trails for hiking, biking, jogging and horseback riding. There’ll be plenty of space for picnicking, wildlife viewing and guided tours.

Williams and other Phoenix officials hope that the project will generate productive ripples into nearby environs. Already, junkyards and similar businesses have been restricted, and several development projects, such as a golf course, are onstream. "This will be a different place in 10 to 15 years," Williams says.

While Phoenix's focus could be called a return to nature ,Tempe's going for the bright lights, hoping to build a bustling waterfront along Tempe Town Lake. The city's portion of Rio Salado includes Town Lake and the restoration project being partnered by the Corps and the city. Overall, the combined projects extend along the Salt River and Indian Bend Wash for a total of about 5.5 miles.

The lake is their heartbeat, using inflatable dams, a water pump system and slurry walls to keep it full. City planners expect to see resorts, restaurants, retail shops and a marina at what they call "this regional destination." Already, the high-rise Hayden Ferry Lakeside Building towers over the lake, and the 25-acre Tempe Beach Park has been completely refurbished and serves as a community gathering spot. The Corps restoration project will add to the greening of the lake district.

Tempeians are proud of the project's progress. When a recent editorial in the Arizona Republic dissed the lake for "no profit yet," Mayor Neil Giuliano swiftly responded: "No profit except having turned a dry ugly garbage dump river bottom into an open space visited by tens of thousands on a regular basis, and the lake is not even four years old!"

Rio Salado's success has caused other municipalities in the Valley of the Sun, such as Mesa, to ponder their own options for taking advantage of both the river and the Corps' resources and expertise. And the two cities now involved in the project praise their federal partner. "We're happy with the great partnership we have with the Corps," says Williams. Adds Chris Baxter, Tempe's economic development marketing coordinator: "We couldn't do this without the Corps. There's absolutely no way we could build this habitat on our own without the Corps’ resources, the talent, intellect and financing."

Ternak, the District's project manager, is quietly proud of the Corps role in reversing the river's decline and making it a place where people want to go and be and live. "Hopefully, this will bridge the gap," he says, "and break down the barriers. The benefits of the project include habitat for plants and wildlife, environmental education and recreation for people. It will result in a restored and unique resource—unlike any other in a city."