A Cultural Resources Survey for the SRP Lehi Project Water and Gas Line Service Relocation along Lehi Road and Mesa Drive, Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona

Summary

SRP is in the process of constructing a new irrigation pipeline along Lehi Road and Mesa Drive, which will require the relocation of water and gas service lines to private and public entities by the City of Mesa. These services will be installed in open trenches, some of which will cross an existing historical irrigation lateral.

Desert Archaeology, Inc. has completed a Class III cultural resources survey for proposed water and gas service line replacements along Lehi Road and Mesa Drive to be conducted by the City of Mesa. Physical survey of the APE did not result in the identification of significant cultural resources or isolated occurrences. An open-ditch lateral of the South Canal is located on the south side of Lehi Road. While this feature is historical, except location, it lacks integrity. The in-use lateral includes portions of earthen construction and concrete-lined segments. Based on criteria established by Keane (2003), Gifford (2013) recommended the lateral be preserved. The condition of the lateral will not be significantly impacted by the current project, and it will be preserved.

In addition, a network of local irrigation ditches is located along portions of Lehi Road and Mesa Drive. These earthen ditches lack integrity. Although the irrigation system is considered a component of the Lehi historic district (Jackman et al. 1999), it is recommended that the ditches themselves be considered non-contributing elements. While there are multiple built features associated with the ditches (e.g., culverts, turnouts, etc.), most of these appear to be of modern construction. Erring on the side of caution, it is recommended that built features be avoided.

Despite the negative results of the pedestrian survey, previous records review indicate a potential for significant buried deposits in the APE. First, three or four prehistoric canal alignments are plotted as crossing the APE 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 located in proximity to the Lehi area. Given the setting (that is, the floodplain of the Salt River) and the proximity of prehistoric irrigation canals, prehistoric habitation sites, agricultural fields, or limited activity sites may be present in the area. In addition, historical occupation of the area dates from 1877. While many of the early structures in the area are gone, there is potential for buried historical features. The area was not systematically surveyed prior to development of the Lehi neighborhood in the late 1800s. Based on the potential for buried prehistoric and/or historic cultural deposits, monitoring future ground-disturbing activities associated with the undertaking is recommended. Pursuant to this, a monitoring and discovery plan is included in this report.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Salt River Project Digital Library

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Daniel Garcia

Sponsor(s): City of Mesa

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): 19-130

File Information