[4] Prior to this, water flowed perennially in a number of places, including along nine stretches in the Tucson area, and the river's banks were lined with cottonwood and mesquite bosques.

[5][6] Although there is some disagreement among historians and hydrologists as to what the biggest causes of the river's decline were, contributing human factors included overgrazing, excessive pumping of groundwater for agricultural irrigation and industry, and the construction of dams and ditches.

[8] In recent years, due to water conservation efforts and restoration projects, perennial flows have returned to a few parts of the Santa Cruz River in greater Tucson.

[9] Further downstream at the Roger Road Waste Water Treatment Plant has been releasing treated wastewater, which extends the perennial flow of the river for approximately 46 miles (74 km).

In Marana, there are approximately 10 miles (16 km) of paved multi-use recreational path along the Santa Cruz, located on Tangerine Road and through the Gladden Farms community park.