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Marana, AZ Experts in Container Rental, Sales & Customization

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Southwest Mobile Storage - Best Mobile Storage & Office Containers In Marana, AZ

Southwest Mobile Storage is a family-owned shipping container business founded in 1995. Our strength for more than 25 years comes from the specialized knowledge and passion of our people, along with serving over 24,000 commercial, construction and residential customers. Our facility and expertise in maintaining, manufacturing, and delivering corrugated steel containers is unrivaled in the industry.

While the rental side of our business is regional with branches throughout the Southwest, our container sales and modification operations are nationwide and becoming global. Marana, AZ offers a wide selection of portable offices and mobile storage containers you can rent, buy or modify.

Our experts in container rental, sales and customization are committed to providing you the highest quality and best experience from service to delivery - our reputation depends on it.

Whether your need is for storage, office space, moving, multi-purpose or custom use, we've got your back. Here's how:

Storage Containers Marana, AZ
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What Clients Say About Us

NO MATTER YOUR NEED, WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK.

STORE AT YOUR LOCATION

We bring your storage container to you for convenient, easy access at your home, business or jobsite. Plus, you'll get more choice in storage space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of a pod or add on building, saving money and energy.

STORE AT OUR LOCATION

Not enough room to keep a storage container at your business, home or construction site? No problem - we can store it for you. Plus, you get 70% more space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of public storage units.

CUSTOM STORAGE

Need a permanent storage solution for your business, residence or construction? We sell new and used shipping containers in many sizes with a variety of add-ons. Or customize a container to your specific storage needs with our certified fabrication experts.

LOCAL MOVE

Take your time packing with our moving containers. We'll deliver to your business or home and pick it up whenever you're ready to move. So, you don't have to stress about moving or making multiple trips in one day, like if you rented a moving truck.

LONG-DISTANCE MOVE

Our moving container solutions ensure the long-distance move of your home or business is highly efficient and affordable throughout the southwest. In fact, we usually cost 20%-40% less than full-service movers.

MOVING & STORAGE

We understand move-in and move-out dates might be different. We can store your moving container at our highly secure facilities until you're ready to move to your new home or business location, and you can conveniently access it at any time.

OFFICE USE

Whether you need a workspace, conference room, or other office requirement, our ground-mounted mobile offices meet any and all of your business needs. Plus, it's faster and easier than building additions.

BUSINESS USE

If you need your shipping container to serve multiple uses, such as office-storage combos, breakrooms and even utilities, we've got you covered. We'll modify a custom container to fit your business needs and bring your business to the next level

CUSTOM USE

We'll create a custom container to fit your unique needs anywhere in the US. With our container modification expertise, we make any idea a reality. From pop-up stores to multi-story structures, our unrivaled facilities and fabrication experts do it all.

You'll get your own dedicated storage and container expert to serve as your one point of contact for easy, convenient service you can trust.
With our wide selection of intermodal containers for sale and rent, you'll find exactly what you need, from size, to type and condition.
We maintain our rental fleet to the highest standard - our integrity depends on it.
Our certified, experienced Conex container modification experts have more than 500 years combined experience modifying ISO containers.
All of our containers come with high security dual-locking system for no additional charge, so you can rest assured your stored items stay safe and that you don't have to pay extra for it.
icon-scale
At our unrivaled 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility, ensuring your custom shipping container is made exactly to your specifications.
With our level of service, quality and expertise, you won't find a better value anywhere else.
Our portable offices include lighting and electrical outlets, internet hookups, HVAC and were crafted by our in-house steel container fabrication experts for top-quality construction.

Premium Quality - High Security

With Southwest Mobile Storage, you get much more than a POD or typical Conex box. You also get high security, unparalleled service and unmatched container modification expertise and facilities. No other company offers that much.

Shipping containers and storage containers come in a range of sizes. The most common external lengths are 20ft and 40ft with a width of 8ft. ISO Containers are typically 8ft 6in tall, but high cube containers are 9ft 6in tall. We also have steel containers in a variety of sizes from 10ft long to 45ft long to rent or buy, and we can modify shipping containers into any size you want.

 Rent Storage Containers Marana, AZ

SMS Mobile Storage Containers have these high quality features:

1/8" thick steel plate bottom side rails
High strength steel supporting cross members
1 1/8" thick hardwood floor with galvanized self-tapping screws
16-gauge corrugated steel walls
16-gauge roof
270-degree swing cargo door(s)
High security dual-locking system*
Spot-grinded, primed & repainted with a beige high-grade water reducible alkyd direct-to-metal enamel*
* Comes standard on all rental units

SMS portable workspace containers have these structural features:

High security window bars, lever & deadbolt set with lock box
Studs & R-19 Insulation covered with wood paneling
1 1/8" marine board floor is covered with a durable single part gray epoxy coating
Dual pane low-E horizontal sliding windows with screens and miniblinds
18 Gauge steel polystyrene core 3-hour fire rated personnel door
All of our workspaces are manufactured in-house and arrive new or restored to factory specifications
Exterior load center operating on 100 Amp single phase 230 Volt power
Light switch, receptacles and 4' light fixtures; all wiring is Romex 12/2
CAT-6 voice and data lines with electrical junction box
HVAC units ranging from 1 ton to 2 ton on rentals; ability to customize up to 10 tons of cooling

Having flexible storage containers options is important, but security is crucial to protect your peace of mind and your possessions.

At Southwest Mobile Storage, we don't believe in leaving things to chance. We want you to rest easy knowing your inventory, documents, tools, equipment and other items are safe 24/7. That is why we equip SMS high-security slide bolt locking systems and lockboxes on our entire fleet of rental freight containers.

EVERY ONE OF OUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR RENT IN Marana, AZ, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES:

High-security slide-bolt locking system and extra-long lock box, giving you twice the security and peace of mind.
No holes to ensure your rental shipping container is wind and water-tight.
No rust for your safety.
14-gauge corrugated steel for strength and reinforcement.

Contact us to speak with a helpful, friendly representative to better understand our full range of capabilities. We are happy to answer any questions you have, go over pricing and set up a time and place to deliver your Conex box. Our quotes are 100% free and you are under no obligation to pay for your consultation.

COMMERCIAL STORAGE CONTAINERS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN Marana, AZ

When you own a business or manage one, it's crucial to have efficient, affordable ways to store inventory and supplies, whether it's to grow your business or adapt to changes in the market, like the many caused by the pandemic.

Renting storage containers to keep at your business eliminates the cost and hassles of sending your staff to offsite storage facilities. Steel containers with roll up doors make storing and retrieving items faster and easier. Auto repair shops and other businesses that need easy access throughout the workday to secure storage for tools, parts, equipment or supplies find renting shipping containers to be the best solution for their business storage needs. Southwest Mobile Storage has your back.

 Storage Containers For Rent Marana, AZ

Renting portable offices gives your business more workspace, breakrooms, pop up stores, security booths and more, without the cost and red tape associated with constructing building additions. Plus, a steel storage container fits neatly into one parking space and provides much stronger security than Pods and way more convenience than self-storage units.

If you have a specific need, we can modify shipping containers to build whatever you need to grow your business. Whether it's a portable workspace to run your business, like a pop-up container bar, or a durable facility for scientific research, like a container laboratory, or even a container gym, our unrivaled fabrication facility and modification experts got you covered. Our full-time, in-house staff of certified welders, engineers, electricians, carpenters and painters have over 500 years combined experience modifying thousands of container projects for just about any business use you can imagine.

WHETHER YOUR BUSINESS IS COMMERCIAL, HEALTHCARE, GOVERNMENT OR EDUCATION, OR YOUR INTEREST IS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY SHIPPING CONTAINERS, SMS HAS YOU COVERED:

One
Offsite storage alternatives cause a mess of hassles and headaches. Expanding office space and storage capacity at your location saves time, money and hassle of making multiple trips offsite.
We offer more choice in security, size and features in steel Conex boxes or ISO shipping containers than a public storage unit or Pod for less cost and far greater service.
We offer flexible, month-to-month rental agreements and prorate by the day after your first 28-day billing cycle.
With us, you get a dedicated account manager you can rely on, so you can focus on running your business than waste time with a different person every time you call that doesn't know or care as much.
While other companies may have some staff for modifying containers, most outsource the work, so you don't know who is actually doing the modifications or how much they're marking up the price.
 Mobile Storage Containers Marana, AZ
When you modify a shipping container for your business, you won't have to worry about expensive, lengthy and complicated construction.
We have modified thousands of containers nationwide and internationally for more than 25 years for NASA, US Navy, GCP Applied Technologies, Helix and Sundt to name a few. And rent containers to Amazon, Walmart and many of other nationally recognized brands.
Our extensive staff makes it possible to custom build multiple projects simultaneously and our 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility prevents contaminants from interfering with fabrication, which delivers better quality and precision.

HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY A SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR YOUR HOME:

With an extensive in-house staff and 90,000 sq ft container modification facility, we're able to deliver consistently high quality and work on multiple projects simultaneously for a fast turnaround.

Other companies don't have the facility, staff or resources to modify shipping containers and will outsource the work to various shops who may not have the special experience or tools needed to modify the right way.

You can rest assured knowing your custom container is safe in our hands. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications through every step of the process.

Renting a moving container from us makes your move much less stressful because you won't have to rush to pack your whole house into a moving truck in one day. Instead, you can take your time packing over the course of a month.

Our ISO shipping containers are weatherproof and come with vault-like security, so you don't have to worry about theft or damage to your belongings.

You won't get that level of security from U-Haul or other moving truck companies.

Renting a storage container at your home keeps your belongings close and gives you convenient 24/7 access, so you're always able to retrieve the contents of your container when you need to.

We know move in and move out dates don't always line up. We can store your packed rental container at our secure facility until your new home is ready.

With our mobile storage containers for rent in Marana, AZ, you can save up to 40% when compared to full-service long-distance movers, while gaining more flexibility in your schedule.

MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS & PORTABLE OFFICES TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN Marana, AZ

We know your needs may change suddenly. With our extensive inventory and variety of sizes of portable offices and shipping containers to rent, buy or modify in Marana, AZ, we provide fast service and the best value possible so it's easy for you to get whatever you need when you need it.

Renting storage containers and portable offices from us gives you more flexibility when it comes to your schedule and options. If you don't have enough space at your current location or simply would prefer offsite storage, you can keep your rental storage and office containers at your location or ours - whichever is most convenient for you. You also get more options to choose from when it comes to size and features, like portable offices with divided rooms for private meetings or office/storage combos for storage and office space in one container. All while costing a fraction of the price of a pod or self-storage facility.

You can also buy new or used freight containers from us and choose from a variety of add-ons, including lights, electricity, doors and windows. Or fully customize a shipping container to save time, money and energy by skipping the expensive, lengthy process of constructing building additions. We can modify a Conex box into whatever you can imagine for any use you need, from construction tool cribs to office buildings, monitoring stations, mobile communication towers and much more. The possibilities are endless.

HERE'S HOW WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK:

You'll never face hidden fees or surprises with us. We give you transparent billing up front at the best prices.

With us, you get a reliable, dedicated point of contact, who keeps you updated every step of the way. You can rest assured knowing you'll always get what you need, when you need it.

No other company has the breadth and depth of staff and experience that we do when it comes to modifying shipping containers. Our certified welders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters have more than 500 years of combined experience in fabricating custom steel containers.

We prorate your rent by the day after the first 28-day billing cycle, so you don't have to pay for a full month when you only have your mobile containers and offices for a few days.

While other companies may be able to do small container modifications, most don't have an in-house fabrication staff or 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility like we do. As a result, they outsource the work on your custom container, so you don't know who's actually building it.

Rest assured knowing your modified shipping container will be built to the highest quality standards. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors check every step of the fabrication process to ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

Whether you're in need of a storage container for your commercial business, a portable office for your construction site, or a moving container for your home, our process is simple and straightforward.

Choose Your Container

Choose the mobile storage solution that works best for your needs. In this step, you will let us know the number of containers you need, their sizes and what types of doors to equip.

Choose Your Options

Let us know if you would like to add any of our rental options, like a folding table or shelving.

Choose Your Security

Choose from padlocks, puck locks and other enhanced security options. All of our storage containers come standard with dual-locking, vault-like security.

Choose Your Delivery Timeframe

You can expect standard delivery within 3-5 days of your order. If you need expedited delivery, we will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.

Pick-Up Planning

Do you need to keep your shipping container at our location? Prefer to have our team deliver your packed container to a location of your choice? Let us know, and we'll be by your side to work out the logistics.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

1

DETERMINE DESTINATION

Let our team know where we should deliver your mobile storage container for rent in Marana, AZ. Be sure to let us know if there are any special conditions that might prevent our drivers from entering your chosen destination. Before you schedule your delivery, let us know which direction you would like the doors of your container to face.

2

SCHEDULE DATE & TIME

Our drivers can deliver your storage container Monday-Friday, between the hours of 6AM and 2PM local time. Our two-hour delivery window is the most precise in the industry. If you desire another delivery time outside of our standard delivery options, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a courtesy, our driver will call you at least 30 minutes before they arrive at your drop-off destination.

3

PREPARE FOR YOUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINER DELIVERY

Before we deliver your Conex box, prepare your delivery area by ensuring that there are no low overhangs, arches, wires, trees or any other obstacles that could interfere with your delivery. It's a good idea to mark the space where you would like your steel container placed.

4

DELIVERY & SETUP

When our driver arrives, they will back our truck into the space where you would like your shipping container placed. Once we arrive, we will ensure that your container is delivered safely and securely. If placed on asphalt or pavement, we will use wood dunnage pads to make sure your ground surface is protected and the container is level.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MOBILE CONTAINERS TO Rent, Buy OR Modify IN Marana, AZ?

Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our helpful customer service team today @

520.292.1332

Latest News in Marana, AZ

Marana golf course under fire for removal of two saguaro cactuses without permits

A private golf course in Marana is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Agriculture for chopping down two saguaro cactuses to make room for hospitality tents for the upcoming LIV Tournament.In February, a video surfaced of a landscaping company cutting down two mature saguaro cactuses on The Gallery Golf Club's property, which incited outrage within the community and questioning by the state agriculture department.The Gallery Golf Club claims the removal was a mistake by the landscaping company, Santa...

A private golf course in Marana is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Agriculture for chopping down two saguaro cactuses to make room for hospitality tents for the upcoming LIV Tournament.

In February, a video surfaced of a landscaping company cutting down two mature saguaro cactuses on The Gallery Golf Club's property, which incited outrage within the community and questioning by the state agriculture department.

The Gallery Golf Club claims the removal was a mistake by the landscaping company, Santa Rita Landscaping, which did not ask for permission from management, according to The Gallery Club General Manager Jeremy Duda.

Saguaros, which can reach up to 50 feet, are found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert and have an average lifespan of 150 to 175 years. They are well-known and recognized in Arizona and are one of many protected plants under Arizona's native plant law.

Under this law, landowners have the right to destroy or remove protected native plants growing on their land, but they are required to notify the AZDA 20 to 60 days prior to the destruction. They must also obtain permits from the AZDA during this notification process.

Honoring the saguaro:Controversial removal of saguaro from golf course highlights cactus' revered status

That's what The Gallery Golf Club and its landscaping company failed to do before removing the two saguaros to make room for temporary hospitality tents arriving for the LIV Golf Invitational Tournament.

"The AZDA did not identify records of a permit or notice of intent for The Gallery Golf Club to cut down the two saguaros, and we are currently conducting an investigation related to this action," said Heather Flowers, assistant director of Strategic Initiatives and Policy at the AZDA.

According to state law, removing a saguaro, or any native plant, without obtaining the proper permit from the AZDA is a class one misdemeanor, punishable by a civil penalty in an amount of no more than $5,000.

Expert alert:'AZ Plant Lady' writes book on desert gardening with more than cactus and rocks

"We were under the impression that they were going to be relocated," Duda said, regarding what the landscaping company said to management. "That's what we were told, and they ended up chopping them down without our permission."

Relocation of saguaros on the same property does not require a permit, according to AZDA.

Duda said The Gallery Golf Club is fully cooperating with the AZDA's investigation, and it plans to replace the saguaros once the tournament is over.

Reach breaking news reporter Ellie Willard at ellie.willard@gannett.com or on Twitter @EllieWillardAZ.

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Saguaros cut down in Marana for golf tournament, video shows

Arizona saguaro cacti cut down during construction work at golf courseThe Arizona Department of Agriculture is investigating, after video surfaced of a construction crew cutting down a pair of saguaro cacti with chainsaws. According to Arizona law, removing a saguaro or any native plant is against the law. FOX 10's Ellen McNamara has more.MARANA, Ariz. - The Arizona Dept. of Agriculture is investigating after video showed a construction crew cutting down a pair of saguaros with chainsaws at a golf course nort...

Arizona saguaro cacti cut down during construction work at golf course

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is investigating, after video surfaced of a construction crew cutting down a pair of saguaro cacti with chainsaws. According to Arizona law, removing a saguaro or any native plant is against the law. FOX 10's Ellen McNamara has more.

MARANA, Ariz. - The Arizona Dept. of Agriculture is investigating after video showed a construction crew cutting down a pair of saguaros with chainsaws at a golf course north of Tucson.

The work was done ahead of the LIV Golf tournament set to take place in Marana on March 17.

According to state law, removing a saguaro is against the law.

The agency says a permit was not issued, and the licensing department says they did not receive notice of intent associated with the removals from the Gallery Golf Club at Dove Mountain.

Marana resident Jerry Parker says he saw the iconic saguaros taken down firsthand.

"I was just taken back, I couldn't believe it happened," Parker said.

The video is upsetting neighbors in the community.

"To see them cut down for a basically a three-day golf tournament and those guys after three days are going to pack up their things and be gone, and these saguaros will be in a dumpster somewhere," said resident Michael Smith. "I didn't like that and I hope the people in this community don't put up with it."

"There was no sense talking to the workers, they were trying to avoid me for sure, but it wasn't the workers," said Jerry Parker. "They were doing the job that someone told them to do. So the question is who and why."

The Gallery Golf Club responded with the following statement.

Our maintenance practices are designed to protect the natural beauty of our desert landscape. In this instance, despite an original plan to safely relocate two Saguaros on our property, it was determined that they were unstable, which led to the decision to remove them. Along with the community and our Membership, we will always be committed to protecting our beautiful environment.

More Arizona headlines

Why an Arizona golf club is being investigated for removing saguaros

The Arizona Department of Agriculture says it's investigating a golf club's decision to remove some saguaro cacti from its property.ORO VALLEY, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Agriculture is investigating whether a Marana golf course improperly uprooted saguaro cacti to make room for an upcoming tournament.Members of the Gallery Golf Club began voicing concerns last month after they noticed a couple of saguaros had been ...

The Arizona Department of Agriculture says it's investigating a golf club's decision to remove some saguaro cacti from its property.

ORO VALLEY, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Agriculture is investigating whether a Marana golf course improperly uprooted saguaro cacti to make room for an upcoming tournament.

Members of the Gallery Golf Club began voicing concerns last month after they noticed a couple of saguaros had been removed from the property.

The golf club told KVOA News they had planned to relocate the saguaros but ended up removing them because they were "unstable."

But now the Department of Agriculture is checking whether penalties should be enforced for not getting permission beforehand to take down the cacti.

Heather Flowers, assistant director of the agency, told 12News that the golf club is currently under investigation for potentially violating legal protections given to Arizona's cacti.

ADOA requires property owners to notify the agency or obtain a permit before moving native plants that are protected under Arizona law.

A landowner must notify ADOA within a certain amount of time before they intend to destroy the native plant. The state agency then must provide any interested "salvage operators" with notice of the pending plant removal, the agency's codes state.

A state agency wishing to remove a protected plant species from public lands must either sell the plant at a public auction, move it to another piece of land owned by the state or donate it to a nonprofit organization.

A violation of the state's removal procedures could result in a misdemeanor charge or civil penalty.

Arizona's iconic cactus has been subjected to various types of nefarious activities over the years by those who try to profit off of a unique plant species that can't be found outside of the Sonoran Desert.

There's even been a black market of thieves stealing Arizona's cactuses and trading them for drugs or money.

In 2013, a Scottsdale man was convicted of stealing several saguaros from federal lands and selling them for $2,000 each. He was placed on probation for five years and ordered to pay $32,000 in restitution.

Related Articles

Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12News YouTube playlist here.

The future of water for Tucson and Marana residents

Copy This Embed Code: Ad TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The future of water remains a topic of concern in southern Arizona, especially on the heels of some neighborhoods and in other parts of Arizona running out. Recently, the town of Marana and city of Tucson spoke on the topic.KGUN 9 reached out to those leaders to find out just where Marana and Tucson stand when it comes to our water.Both the town of Marana and city of Tucson get their water from three different sources.Those sources include CAP water whic...

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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The future of water remains a topic of concern in southern Arizona, especially on the heels of some neighborhoods and in other parts of Arizona running out. Recently, the town of Marana and city of Tucson spoke on the topic.

KGUN 9 reached out to those leaders to find out just where Marana and Tucson stand when it comes to our water.

Both the town of Marana and city of Tucson get their water from three different sources.

Those sources include CAP water which is from the Colorado River. The second is reclaimed water, which is waste water that's been treated. The third is ground water stored in the earth from the rain.

Currently local leaders say Tucson has one of the strongest water supplies in the western United States.

"More recently, we've been purchasing all of our available river water through the CAP and storing that and using that for later," John Kmiec, Director of Tucson Water, said. "The early 1980's Tucson Water was one of the first major utilities in the state of Arizona to develop a reclaimed water system. Where we're utilizing highly treated wastewater effluent for non drinking water throughout the community."

More water coverage in southern Arizona:

Kmiec says Tucson currently uses 104.191 acre feet a year of water from the Colorado River, even though the city doesn't use it all.

"That excess water has been banked in the aquifer in Avra valley and in South Tucson for future Tucsonans to use," Kmiec said.

Tucson city leaders are also working on banning ornamental grass.

"So it wouldn't affect single family homes, wouldn't affect schools, parks, places where active recreation is going," Kmiec said. "But it would address those areas where turf is more used as important ornamental piece."

Meanwhile the town of Marana has nearly doubled its population in the past decade. Its city manager Terry Rozema says they have enough water but are working to secure more.

"We're in the middle of a Water Task Force. We're identifying different sources," Rozema said. "We are have an application in with the State Department of Water to increase our designation of assured water supply to essentially double it to approximately 15,000 acre feet. So that we will be able to serve our community well into the future."

While other communities in Arizona like Rio Verde Foothills in Scottsdale run out of water, Rozema says Marana and Tucson residents shouldn't have that concern.

"Do people have to be concerned or worried that we're going to run out of water, that one day they're going to turn on the faucet and no water is going to come out?" Rozema said. " That's just not going to happen."

Rozema recently posted a podcast where he discusses the future of Tucson and Marana's water. To listen, click here.

——-Denelle Confair is an anchor and investigative reporter for KGUN 9. It's been her dream to tell your stories for the past decade. She is extremely curious and wants to continue to use her storytelling for the greater good. Share your story ideas and important issues with Denelle by emailing denelle.confair@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, and Twitter.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Santa Cruz River bounces back

Copy This Embed Code: Ad TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — We often see Tucson’s rivers as dry washes, but years of work has the Santa Cruz River flowing again.On the upper part of the Santa Cruz, north of Tucson’s downtown, there’s something you rarely see outside of monsoon: Running water moving up all the way toward Marana.It’s the result of a lot of cooperation among various agencies.Luke Cole of the Sonoran In...

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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — We often see Tucson’s rivers as dry washes, but years of work has the Santa Cruz River flowing again.

On the upper part of the Santa Cruz, north of Tucson’s downtown, there’s something you rarely see outside of monsoon: Running water moving up all the way toward Marana.

It’s the result of a lot of cooperation among various agencies.

Luke Cole of the Sonoran Institute has been involved in a coordinated effort that includes Pima County Flood Control, the City of Tucson and Marana.

“The Santa Cruz River prior to its upgrades in, let's say 2012, was a smelly river. It was slimy. It did not support a whole lot of wildlife and people didn’t come to the river because it didn’t offer a whole lot,” says Cole.

Now clean water flowing in parts of the Santa Cruz is routine. Pima County is pouring treated wastewater into the riverbed, where it can support wildlife and filter underground to replenish the aquifers.

The City of Tucson has added treated wastewater to the Santa Cruz near downtown.

Cole says, “People should care about the Santa Cruz River because it is what makes Tucson, Tucson.”

He says reaching far back in history, what’s a small stream now, once had the power to make Tucson possible. Regular floods from the river led to fertile fields that supported communities in the desert thousands of years ago.

Now modern governments along the river—Pima County, Tucson, Marana—have been pulling together to restore water, clean the channel, and add recreation attractions, including stretches of the bike and pedestrian loop along its banks.

Pima County Flood Control has been the lead agency in improving the Santa Cruz, controlling trash, making the river more attractive for wildlife and people, and enhancing flood protection.

Joe Cuffari of Pima Flood Control says that includes “bringing the banks up higher in certain areas and a variety of issues including parks recreation, wildlife corridors, installation of safety features.”

Cole says Pima County voters helped power the recovery by approving a bond issue that helped cover the cost but there’s still more work to be done on a historic river that runs from Mexico into the heart of Arizona.

——-Craig Smith is a reporter for KGUN 9. With more than 30 years of reporting in cities like Tampa, Houston and Austin, Craig has covered more than 40 Space Shuttle launches and covered historic hurricanes like Katrina, Ivan, Andrew and Hugo. Share your story ideas and important issues with Craig by emailing craig.smith@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook and Twitter.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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