FLAGSTAFF — On March 3, 2025, the Phoenix Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) agreed to begin developing a scope of work for an appraisal-level study for the City of Flagstaff’s planned regional water supply pipeline from Red Gap Ranch (Regional Project). The City acquired Reg Gap Ranch in 2005 with 71% voter-approved funding for future water supply. Together with continued conservation measures, the Regional Project at Red Gap Ranch can provide resiliency to the City’s existing water system and add needed protections against drought and natural disasters. Red Gap Ranch is located about 35 miles east of Flagstaff along the I-40 corridor.
The appraisal-level study is a necessary first step in obtaining technical information related to the Regional Project before Reclamation can recommend a federal feasibility-level study. Reclamation will allow potential partners, such as the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, the Arizona State Land Department and others, to participate and identify opportunities for regional benefits. Reclamation will gather and review available technical reports, evaluate conjunctive use of the City’s various water supplies, consider renewable energy options, develop and analyze alternatives, provide comparative costs and conclude with a summary recommendation. Once a scope of work is finalized, the appraisal-level study will likely take more than one year to complete.
Although independent, the appraisal-level study is consistent with and complements the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement (NAIWRSA). The City is a party to NAIWRSA which was executed by Governor Katie Hobbs on November 19, 2024.
Reclamation’s initiation of the appraisal-level study follows letters of support from Senator Mark Kelly and Governor Katie Hobbs that were sent to the Commissioner for the United States Bureau of Reclamation in November 2024.
Recently, the City’s engineering consultant, Jacobs, completed the Red Gap Ranch Regional Pipeline Feasibility Study Phase II Technical Memorandum (Jacobs Phase II Report). The Jacobs Phase II Report is a more comprehensive evaluation of the Regional Project than the initial Jacobs Phase I report (2009). The Phase I Report recommended a pipeline alignment extending from Red Gap Ranch along the I-40 corridor, and on US Forest Service and county roads before reaching the City. Jacobs later modified one pipeline segment in 2019.
Reclamation’s appraisal-level study is timely given the release of the Jacobs Phase II Report, which will provide significant additional technical detail on the proposed project alignment, initial design, water treatment options, geotechnical testing, and other tasks.
The Jacobs Phase II Report and the City’s water supply needs were discussed at the City’s Water Commission meetings and at the Coconino Plateau Watershed Partnership meeting in early 2025. Additional public presentations will be planned and the City will continue to make the public aware of developments related to the Red Gap Ranch Regional Project.
For related questions, please contact City of Flagstaff City Attorney Sterling Solomon at SSolomon@flagstaffaz.gov.