Archaeological Monitoring for the SRP Lehi Project Water and Gas Line Service Relocations along Lehi Road in Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona

Summary

SRP plans construction of a new irrigation pipeline along the south side of Lehi Road, necessitating the relocation of water and gas service lines by the City of Mesa. A Class III cultural resources survey of the project area was conducted prior to ground-disturbing activities associated with the service line relocations (Marshall 2020). Despite the negative results of the pedestrian survey, the previous records review demonstrated the potential for significant buried deposits in the project area. First, three or four prehistoric canal alignments are plotted as crossing the project area or in proximity to it (Howard and Huckleberry 1991). Second, there is potential for unreported buried prehistoric and historic remains in the area. Multiple prehistoric sites are situated in proximity to the Lehi area.

Desert Archaeology completed archaeological monitoring of excavations to relocate water and gas service lines along Lehi Road between SR 202 and the SRP South Canal in Mesa, Arizona. Despite a negative results cultural resources survey (Marshall 2020), monitoring was conducted because prehistoric irrigation canals are plotted in the area and there is potential for unreported buried prehistoric and historic remains. Thirty-four trench excavations were monitored during the project. No significant cultural resources were identified during monitoring.

Desert Archaeology, Inc. recommends that no further archaeological work is required for this project. However, should future ground-disturbing activities be conducted in this locale, the City of Mesa should be notified so that potential impacts can be evaluated.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Salt River Project Digital Library

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Daniel Garcia

Prepared By(s): Desert Archaeology, Inc.

Submitted To(s): Salt River Project

Record Identifiers

Desert Archaeology Project No.(s): 19-153

Desert Archaeology Project Report(s): 22-124

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