WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) and Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-09) sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requesting the Corps conduct a feasibility study on improvement options for McMicken Dam in Surprise, Arizona. Lesko and Stanton were joined by the entire Arizona congressional delegation in sending the letter.

“McMicken Dam is an important part of my district and ensuring it is viable for generations to come is of the utmost importance,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “The dam protects 130,000 Arizonans, Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix Goodyear Airport, I-10, and other critical infrastructure in the area. The dam needs repairs and it’s important that the USACE assess what repairs are needed so that we can work to secure the funding for future improvement projects. I thank my Arizona colleagues for joining me in this important letter.”

The McMicken Dam, located in Lesko’s 8^th Congressional District, was built in 1955 and impounds storm water from a 150 square mile watershed. Earlier this year, the Flood Control District of Maricopa County wrote a letter of intent to the USACE outlining the need for a feasibility study ahead of McMicken Dam repairs. The congressional letter echoes their request.

"The growth we've seen in our region is possible in large part because of smart, forward-thinking infrastructure projects like the McMicken Dam," said Congressman Stanton. "The dam offers critical flood protection for more than 130,000 residents in the West Valley. We need to begin important maintenance and rehab of the dam so that it continues to do its job and protects future generations—that starts with this study."

Lesko and Stanton were joined by Representatives Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-04), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), and David Schweickert (AZ-06) in sending the letter.

Read the full letter here.