URBAN WATERWAYS RESTORATION STUDYSouth Platte River • Harvard Gulch • Weir Gulch

www.DenverWaterways.com 1

Study Sponsors

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Tonight’s Agenda

1. Overview of Study

2. Review Existing Conditions

3. Present Potential Ways to Meet Study Goals

4. Present Next Steps

5 G th F db k5. Gather Feedback

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Study AreaSouth Platte River

58th Ave

South Platte River

38th Ave

Colfax Ave

6th Ave

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Study Goals

P i G l R t t h bit tPrimary Goal: Restore ecosystem habitatSecondary Goal: Reduce flood risks

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Complementary Goal

Improve Access to Recreation

Photos: The Greenway Foundation

Environmental Education OpportunitiesIn-River Recreation 6

Study Purpose & Need

• Address loss of riparian, wetland, and aquaticAddress loss of riparian, wetland, and aquatic habitat associated with urban development

• Provide functioning habitat corridor through Denver for migratory birds, wetland and aquatic speciesg y , q p

• Create a healthy riverCreate a healthy river

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Other Denver Projects in the AreaSouth Platte River

• Sun Valley Master Plan

South Platte River

• South Platte River Vision – South• National Western Stock Show

I t t t 70 R t ti• Interstate 70 Reconstruction• Brighton Blvd Corridor Redevelopment• River North Pedestrian BridgeRiver North Pedestrian Bridge• River North Park• Festival Street / Arkins Court Realignmentg• Confluence Park

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Existing ConditionsEcologicalEcological

Development impacts have caused a reduction in the quantity, distribution, and functional quality of riparian, wetland, and aquatic habitat

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Existing ConditionsLow Functioning Wetland & Riparian HabitatLow Functioning Wetland & Riparian Habitat

• Changes in adjacent uses (urbanization)• Lack of connectivity for migration• Increased channelization• Increased channelization• Reduction in native vegetation

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Existing ConditionsLow Functioning Aquatic HabitatLow Functioning Aquatic Habitat

• Channel is wide, shallow, and slow-moving• Lack of cobble & rocks in channel bottom• Lack of riffles (small rock drops to vary water flow)• Lack of cover & shelter for aquatic species 11

Opportunities to Improve HabitatIn channel habitat Riparian/wetland habitatIn-channel habitat Riparian/wetland habitat

http://www.flyfishing.co.uk/

• Decrease non-native species

http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov Stutzman, Jim, USFWSZahm, Gary, USFWS

• Streambed variation / riffles Decrease non-native species• Improve water quality• Increase year-round flows

downstream of Burlington Canal12

Existing ConditionsFloodplainFloodplain

Create a healthy ecosystem and a better functioning floodplain that reduces flood risk where possible 13

Existing ConditionsAdjacent UsesAdjacent Uses

Constraints• Sanitary SewersSanitary Sewers• Adjacent Developed Property• Bridges 14

Adjacent UsesExisting Conditions

Adjacent Uses

OpportunitiesAdj R d l• Adjacent Redevelopment

• Adjacent Park / City Property15

Public Input to Date

• Recreation• Walking, cycling routes, in-river

• Water Quality • Influences recreation, urban runoff heavy with debris

H bit t• Habitat• Important for long term sustainability• Increase native vegetationIncrease native vegetation

• Visual Appearance• Reduce urban riprap, increase river terracesp p,

• Greater Neighborhood Access

Comments & Responses are on the websiteDenverWaterways.com 16

Existing ConditionWays to Improve Habitat

Existing Condition

Image of sewers

Need to Change Existing Conditions:

• Sewers/Utilities are located atSewers/Utilities are located at the top of the banks

• Channel is wide• Banks are steepp

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Ways to Improve HabitatMinimum Improvement OptionMinimum Improvement Option

Typical Minimum Improvements:• Narrow and deepen the

channelCreate vegetation and• Create vegetation and habitat terraces

• Utilities remain in place

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Maximum Improvement OptionWays to Improve Habitat

Typical Maximum Improvements:• Narrow and deepen channelNarrow and deepen channel• Create vegetation and habitat

terraces• Minimize side slopes by p y

laying back the banks• Relocate utilities• Improvements to adjacent

properties

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Ways to Improve Habitat

I-70

NN S

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Example 1:Example 1:National Western & Northside Park

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Example 1: National Western & Northside Park

Existing At 48th, Looking North towards Northside Park 21

Example 1: National Western & Northside Park

After perspective will go hereAfter perspective will go here

22Proposed Looking North towards Northside Park

Example 1

Narrow Low Flow ChannelCreate Vegetation Terraces 23

Ways to Improve Habitat

I-70

NN S

peer

Blv

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Example 2:Example 2:Near Elitch Gardens

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Example 2: Near Elitch Gardens

Looking North near Elitch GardensExisting 25

Example 2: Near Elitch Gardens

• Laying Back the Banks• Increase Wetland Terraces

Looking North near Elitch GardensProposed

• Narrowing Low Flow channel

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Ways to Improve Habitat

I-70

NN S

peer

Blv

d

Example 3:Cuernavaca ParkCuernavaca Park

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Example 3: Cuernavaca Park

Existing Looking North towards Cuernavaca Park 28

Example 3: Cuernavaca Park

• Riffles• Wetlands at storm outfalls• Cover and shelter for aquatic species

Looking North towards Cuernavaca ParkProposed

• Wetland terraces• In-river whitewater wave / Recreation

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Example 3

http://www.flyfishing.co.uk/

Riffles 30

Alternatives: Lower ReachYork Street to I-70York Street to I 70

Minimum Improvements:• Increase in

I-70 riparian at edges

NMinimum Improvements

Maximum Improvements:• Increase in

I-70

• Increase in riparian and wetland at edges

NMaximum Improvements

Riparian

Wetland 31

Selection Criteria

• Habitat benefits & costs• Benefits to flood riskBenefits to flood risk• Recreation impacts & benefits• Property acquisitionp y q

Are these important to you?What other factors would you like considered?

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Study Outcomes & ScheduleStep 1:

Understand existing conditions Spring 2015

Step 2: Evaluate a broad range of options Early 2016

Step 3: Selection of Preferred Plan

• Public Meeting #3 Late 2016Propose a preferred planC & CCD l t f d l L t 2017• Corps & CCD select preferred plan Late 2017

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Long term Schedule

Feasibility Study D i & C t tiSecure FederalFeasibility Study3 years

Complete 2017

Design & Construction6-12+ years

Secure FederalFunding

Min. 2 years

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Feedback & Next Steps

Collect your feedback:• Visit the stations tonight & write comments on the plans• Visit the stations tonight & write comments on the plans• Provide comments online www.DenverWaterways.com

Project Team Next Steps:• Project team evaluation of the range of options• Recommend a preferred option based on selection criteria• Propose preferred plan at public meeting – Fall 2016

www.DenverWaterways.com 35

Q & A

www.DenverWaterways.com 36