FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Flood Control District, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, will begin an important post-wildfire flood mitigation project at the Cinder Lake Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area north of Flagstaff on Monday, Nov. 3.
The Cinder Lake Project will address a severely eroded area that has been depositing large amounts of sediment into Cinder Lake. Crews from Tiffany Construction will remove the accumulated sediment and use it to repair the eroded area. The project will also include construction of new erosion control measures designed to prevent future damage.
Officials say this work is critical to maintaining Cinder Lake’s capacity to absorb floodwater, helping reduce flood risks to the nearby Cinder Lake Regional Landfill and Doney Park neighborhoods. The project will also help protect the Girls Ranch Road Berm, which plays a key role in preventing flooding in the Fernwood area.
Beyond flood prevention, county officials note that the project will improve public safety and the overall condition of the recreation area.
Road Closures and Public Access
To ensure safety during construction, Forest Service Road 776 — the main access route from Highway 89 to Cinder Lake — will be closed to the public beginning Monday, Nov. 3, and will remain closed through the duration of the project. Construction is expected to be completed by December 24, 2025.
Anyone currently camping or recreating in the area will be required to leave before work begins. The District and Forest Service are asking for the public’s cooperation in avoiding the area during the construction period.
Part of a Larger Flood Mitigation Effort
The Cinder Lake Project is one of several initiatives under the Pipeline Fire Flood Area Mitigation Project, a broader effort aimed at restoring burned watersheds and protecting downstream communities and infrastructure along Highway 89.
The watershed restoration and flood mitigation efforts — including the Cinder Lake work — are funded by a U.S. Forest Service Disaster Relief grant totaling more than $42 million.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the project and related updates by visiting the Coconino County Flood Control District or Coconino National Forest websites.
