In 2007, the Laguna Division Planning Group was formed to identify potential restoration projects within this reach of the river. The intent was to identify potential restoration projects and combine resources to ensure any actions taken in the area would not affect other potential restoration projects or ongoing river operations. Currently, there are three river operational requirements and constraints: water delivery, sediment removal, and power generation.

The Laguna Division Planning Group consists of representatives from the following organizations:

• Arizona Department of Water Resources
• Arizona Game and Fish Department
• California Department of Fish and Game
• Pacific Institute
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation

The product from the planning group was identified as the Laguna Division Conservation Area (LDCA), which is scheduled for restoration beginning in 2012 with a completion date of 2015.  The LDCA is nestled between the Imperial Dam and the Laguna Dam with Mittry Wildlife Area to the east and the Laguna Settling Basin to the west.  LDCA will replace large saltcedar stands with a mosaic of open water, marsh, riparian and upland habitat, restoring as much as 1,200 acres of native vegetation along several former river meanders.  These land cover types would be maintained with a maximum base flow of 100 cfs from the Gila Settling Basin.  To minimize earthwork, cuts and fills would follow the existing topography where feasible.  Adjacent terraces would be graded to allow flooding and promote the establishment of native riparian species.  Water control structures would be created to manage water levels.  Upland vegetation will receive water through a combination of flooding and drip irrigation. 

The habitat of LDCA is expected to attract a variety of LCR MSCP covered species including the California black rail, Yuma clapper rail, southwestern willow flycatcher, yellow-billed cuckoo, Yuma hispid cotton rat, and western least bittern.

A fact sheet for this Conservation Area can be found here. Technical Reports for this Conservation Area can be found here.

Updated November 28, 2011

The Laguna Division Conservation Area, located between river miles 43-49, contains Reclamation withdrawn lands in both Arizona and California.  Construction activities area expected to begin late in 2011 and be completed in 2014.  During the construction period, there will be no public access.

For specific information on the Conservation Area, please contact Terry Murphy, Restoration Group Manager, at (702) 293-8140 or via email at tmurphy@usbr.gov.

Click on the map below to see the Laguna Division Conservation Area using the interactive GIS map.

Each Conservation Area targets certain LCR MSCP covered and evaluation species habitats. Below, on the left, is a list of the LCR MSCP species in which habitat will be targeted for creation for in this particular conservation area. To the right is a list of LCR MSCP species that, through monitoring, have been found utilizing the conservation area.

This gallery includes photos of this conservation area. If you require larger photos, please contact our webmaster Michelle Reilly at mreilly@usbr.gov.

Below is a video on the Laguna Diversion Conservation Area program.