Agency Confirms Sufficient Water Supply for Proposed Hoover Dam Development

In a significant development for north Mohave County, the Entrata project has received essential approvals from the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). This decision, made in mid-September, confirms that the planned development meets the criteria for a 100-year water supply, allowing the project to move forward.

Al Barbarich, who has been acquiring the property for over 15 years, expressed his satisfaction with the ADWR’s decision. “We have a great team of hydrologists and engineers,” he stated. “After two years of effort verifying the Detrital basin resources, I am really pleased to receive our 100-year Water Adequacy approvals from ADWR.”

ADWR’s approval was the result of rigorous scientific assessment, according to Entrata representative Kathy Tackett-Hicks. The agency’s requirement for modeling ensures all existing groundwater uses are considered alongside the proposed development demands. “The results of that study clearly indicated that the Detrital basin could accommodate a development of this size,” Tackett-Hicks explained.

The approvals encompass two major Entrata projects: Entrata at White Hills, located 25 miles south of Hoover Dam, and Entrata South, approximately ten miles further south near Pierce Ferry Road. Collectively, they will feature over 25,000 residential lots and significant commercial construction.

ADWR indicated that the Entrata at White Hills will consist of 16,824 single-family lots, 6,431 multi-family units, and nearly 5,011 acres designated for non-residential use. The hydrologic study confirmed that necessary water demands could be met through one existing well and 19 additional proposed wells.

Another hydrologic study contributed to the approval for Entrata South, which anticipates a demand of 5,325 acre-feet of groundwater per year. This development will include 8,525 single-family residential lots, 1,920 multi-family units, and over 1,151 acres for non-residential use.

Barbarich noted the importance of these approvals for the project’s progression. He had previously obtained plan amendments and rezoning from the Mohave County Board of Supervisors for the extensive 20-50 year build-out timeline.

As part of future plans, Tackett-Hicks mentioned that Barbarich will seek a general plan amendment and rezoning to designate 477 acres of the Entrata at White Hills as Special Development Manufacturing at an upcoming planning and zoning commission meeting.

In addition to these developments, significant work is underway to secure essential services, including power, water, wastewater, and fiber connectivity for Entrata. A traffic engineer has also been engaged to collaborate with the Arizona Department of Transportation on access improvements for U.S. 93, which is set for an upgrade to Interstate 11.

Plans for a business park and assorted commercial developments are progressing. Tackett-Hicks added that initial construction efforts could start with a commercial entity such as a nursery, with residential construction projected in the next two to three years.