Project Phase

Project Summary

Phase one of work to repair the lakes and irrigation in the Indian Bend Wash began in March 2023 with the first phase of the rehabilitation of Eldorado Park Pond, just south of Murray Lane and the conversion of some turf areas to xeriscape landscaping, replacing irrigation and improving concrete pathways.

Project Information

Budget: $34,611,546

Sponsoring Division: Community Services

Funding Source: Bonded

Project Location: Indian Bend Wash between Thomas and McKellips roads

Contact Information

Annette Grove
Project Manager
480-312-2399
Annette Grove

The second phase saw irrigation replaced throughout much of Eldorado Park. Some of these areas are still fenced to allow for turf restoration.

Phase three began in April 2025. Eldorado Park Pond is currently closed while a new intake line and pump station are built so the lake water can be used to irrigate the fields.

Project Phases & Tentative Schedule

Area 1: Turf Areas Conversion
Murray Lane to McDowell Road
COMPLETE

Several landscaping areas around the Boys and Girls Club received new irrigation systems and in many places turf areas were converted to low water use landscaping.

Area 2: Irrigation Pipeline Replacement
Murray Lane to McDowell Road
COMPLETE

Eldorado Park (west side of low flow channel)

  • Eldorado Park Pond cleaned of sediment build-up
  • Irrigation system replaced (main line and all laterals/emitters) in turf areas of park

Area 3: Irrigation Pump Station Replacement
Murry Lane to McDowell Road
CONSTRUCTION SPRING 2025

This phase of construction will replace the pump station to use water stored in the pond for irrigation of park fields.

  • Sanitary sewer line and manholes to be installed in entry drive/parking area by Eldorado Pool.
  • Drain Eldorado Park Pond and relocate aquatic life to Chaparral Lake
  • Excavation for Pump Station and bore for new intake pipe
  • Construct new irrigation pump station (walls, pumps, controllers, equipment)
  • Fenced areas to remain fenced until Bermuda grass is reestablished

Area 4: Lakes, Channel and Irrigation System Improvements
Vista Del Camino Park, McDowell Road to Roosevelt Street
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN FALL OF 2025

This phase of the project will make several changes to Vista del Camino Park.
Work will include:

  • Installation of new lake liner in north and south lakes, new concrete edge, lakes to be deeper for water quality
  • Removal of the middle lake
  • Construction of a new low flow channel between N-S lakes
  • Installation of new irrigation system, with smart two-wire controller
  • Build new irrigation pump station (CMU walls, pumps, controller, equipment)
  • Realignment of the multi-use paths (MUP)

Area 5: McKellips Lake Park
Roosevelt Street to McKellips Road
CONSTRUCTION TEANITIVILEY SCHEDULED FOR FALL 2027

This phase of the project is currently under final design and is anticipated to begin in the Fall of 2027.
Work will include:

  • The installation of a new lake liner and new concrete edge on south lake
  • Removal of the north lake by the ball fields
  • Removal of the dam and construction of a new low flow channel
  • Installation of new irrigation system, with smart two-wire controller
  • The construction of a new irrigation pump station in the existing maintenance yard.
  • Conversion of the water source from well water to SRP water (from the lake)
  • Realignment of the multi-use paths (MUP)

Please note that the dog park will remain in its current location.

Area 6: East Eldorado Park Low-flow Channel and Irrigation Systems
Murry Lane to McDowell Road
CONSTRUCTION TEANTIVLEY SCHEDULED FOR FALL 2026

This phase of the project is currently under final design and is anticipated to begin in the Fall of 2026.
Work will include:

  • The construction of a new low flow channel with concrete access steps, meandering between existing Mesquite trees. Gabions adjacent to trees for watering.
  • Installation of new irrigation system
  • Realignment of the multi-use paths (MUP)

Project Overview

This project will make much needed repairs to the lakes in the Indian Bend Wash between Thomas and McKellips roads. The Indian Bend Wash includes many park amenities such as playgrounds, trails, bicycle routes, fishing lakes, sports fields, disc golf course, skate park and an aquatic center. Many of these activities rely on irrigation water from the lakes, or the lakes themselves.

The lake system is showing signs of aging and failure due to the following:

  • Existing vegetation has rooted into the lake puncturing the existing clay liners causing larger than normal water loss from the system.
  • The lake edges are eroding causing incompatible conditions adjacent to the multi-use paths.
  • The irrigation systems are outdated, undersized and perform inadequately.
  • The existing connector channel system between park lakes is open and contains eroded banks, sedimentation, high plant growth and decaying pedestrian bridges.
  • The spillway structure located just north of McKellips Road is leaking increasing the water loss from the lake system.

Project Background

On March 3, 2020, the City Council approved the Indian Bend Wash Municipal Use Master Site Plan, which was developed after extensive public and community input. This project will implement elements of that Master Plan related to the lakes and irrigation.

On Nov. 5, 2019, the City of Scottsdale’s voters approved several bond projects, including Question 2, Project 23: Repair Lakes and Irrigation at Vista del Camino Park in the Indian Bend Wash, which will provide funding for the irrigation improvements.