The upper terrace is landscaped to cover the gabions, provide shade for the lower path and enhance the concrete bicycle path on top of the levee. The channel varies in width from 800 to 1,000 feet wide. Grade-control structures were built in every mile to control scouring caused by water flows. A 12-foot deep concrete structure is being used as part of the foundation of the inflatable dam at the west end of the lake. This particular grade-control structure is located at No. 44 on the map and can be seen in the river channel.
Soil cement is a mixture of mostly sandy soil and a little cement.
It is not as strong as concrete, so some erosion can be seen, but it is a much more natural looking material. After starting construction of the Town Lake, contractors were required to remove the outer layer of this soil cement. However, the equipment being used had difficulty breaking through the material. A change in equipment and method finally allowed the lake edge contractor to break through the surface and chisel it to the required slope for pouring a hard edge lake treatment that now makes up the edge of Tempe Town Lake. The exact use of the site has not been determined, however, the Rio Salado Master Plan designates it for commercial recreation.