Hassayampa, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hassayampa, Arizona
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The historic Hassayampa Bridge
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 Hassayampa, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Hassayampa, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Maricopa |
| Elevation | 846 ft (258 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (MST) |
| Area code(s) | 520 |
| FIPS code | 04-30865 |
| GNIS feature ID | 24452 |
Hassayampa is a small community located in Maricopa County, Arizona. It's not a city or town with its own government, but rather a "populated place" where people live. Hassayampa sits on both sides of the Hassayampa River. It is found west of Palo Verde, Arizona, and east of Dixie and Arlington, Arizona. This area is well-known for its historic Hassayampa Bridge and the beautiful Hassayampa River Preserve.
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Exploring Hassayampa's Unique Features
Hassayampa is home to several important sites. These include a special nature preserve and a historic bridge. The area also has a past connection to environmental cleanup efforts.
Protecting Nature at Hassayampa River Preserve
The Hassayampa River Preserve is a wonderful place for nature lovers. It was started in 1987 by The Nature Conservancy, a group that works to protect natural areas. The preserve began as 660 acres and has since grown to 770 acres.
In 2016, The Nature Conservancy and Maricopa County made an agreement. They decided to connect the preserve with the Vulture Mountains Recreation Area. This recreation area is very large, covering about 71,000 acres. This partnership helps protect even more land for plants and animals.
The Historic Hassayampa Bridge
The Hassayampa Bridge is an important landmark in the area. It helps people cross the Hassayampa River. The first bridge here was made of timber in 1915. Later, in 1922, it was improved with strong steel parts.
The bridge we see today was built in 1929. It is made of concrete and has a special design called a "four-rib concrete deck girder." This type of bridge was common in the 1920s and 1930s. The Hassayampa Bridge has seven sections, each 45 feet long. It was a very important part of Highway 80, which was a major route across the state. Because of its history and design, the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Environmental Cleanup Efforts
In 1961, Maricopa County started a landfill in Hassayampa. A landfill is a place where trash is buried. This one covered 47 acres on the west side of the Hassayampa River. For about 18 months, from 1979 to 1980, some "hazardous waste" was also placed there. Hazardous waste is material that can be harmful to people or the environment if not handled properly.
Because of this, a 10-acre part of the landfill was named a Superfund site in 1987. A Superfund site is a place that needs special cleanup because of dangerous substances. Cleanup and monitoring of the site are still happening today. This work is paid for by a group of companies called the Hassayampa Steering Committee. These companies were involved in placing waste at the site. This cleanup project is important for keeping the environment safe and healthy.
