URBAN WATERWAYS RESTORATION STUDY South Platte River Harvard Gulch - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

URBAN WATERWAYS RESTORATION STUDY

South Platte River • Harvard Gulch • Weir Gulch

www.DenverWaterways.com

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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 k

• 5. Gather Feedback

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Study Area

South 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 t Primary Goal: Restore ecosystem habitat Secondary Goal: Reduce flood risks

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Complementary Goal

Improve Access to Recreation

Photos: The Greenway Foundation

Environmental Education Opportunities In-River Recreation

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Study Purpose & Need

• Address loss of riparian, wetland, and aquatic

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

• Provide functioning habitat corridor through Denver

for migratory birds, wetland and aquatic species g y , q p

• Create a healthy river

Create a healthy river

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Other Denver Projects in the Area

South 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 Bridge

River North Pedestrian Bridge

• River North Park
• Festival Street / Arkins Court Realignment

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• Confluence Park

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Existing Conditions

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

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Existing Conditions

Low Functioning Wetland & Riparian Habitat Low 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 Conditions

Low Functioning Aquatic Habitat Low 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

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Opportunities to Improve Habitat

In channel habitat Riparian/wetland habitat In-channel habitat Riparian/wetland habitat

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

• Decrease non-native species

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

• Streambed variation / riffles

Decrease non-native species

• Improve water quality
• Increase year-round flows

downstream of Burlington Canal

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Existing Conditions

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

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Existing Conditions

Adjacent Uses Adjacent Uses Constraints

• Sanitary Sewers

Sanitary Sewers

• Adjacent Developed Property
• Bridges

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Adjacent Uses

Existing Conditions

Adjacent Uses Opportunities

Adj R d l

• Adjacent Redevelopment
• Adjacent Park / City Property

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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 vegetation

Increase native vegetation

• Visual Appearance
• Reduce urban riprap, increase river terraces

p p,

• Greater Neighborhood Access

Comments & Responses are on the website DenverWaterways.com

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Existing Condition

Ways to Improve Habitat

Existing Condition Image of sewers

Need to Change Existing Conditions:

• Sewers/Utilities are located at

Sewers/Utilities are located at the top of the banks

• Channel is wide
• Banks are steep

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Ways to Improve Habitat

Minimum Improvement Option Minimum Improvement Option

Typical Minimum Improvements:

• Narrow and deepen the

channel Create vegetation and

• Create vegetation and

habitat terraces

• Utilities remain in place

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Maximum Improvement Option

Ways to Improve Habitat

Typical Maximum Improvements:

• Narrow and deepen channel

Narrow 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

N

N Speer Blvd

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

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Example 1: National Western & Northside Park

After perspective will go here After perspective will go here

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Proposed Looking North towards Northside Park

Example 1

Narrow Low Flow Channel Create Vegetation Terraces

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Ways to Improve Habitat

I-70

N

N Speer Blvd

Example 2: Example 2: Near Elitch Gardens

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Example 2: Near Elitch Gardens

Looking North near Elitch Gardens Existing

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Example 2: Near Elitch Gardens

• Laying Back the Banks
• Increase Wetland Terraces

Looking North near Elitch Gardens Proposed

• Narrowing Low Flow channel

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Ways to Improve Habitat

I-70

N

N Speer Blvd

Example 3: Cuernavaca Park Cuernavaca Park

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Example 3: Cuernavaca Park

Existing Looking North towards Cuernavaca Park

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Example 3: Cuernavaca Park

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

Looking North towards Cuernavaca Park Proposed

• Wetland terraces
• In-river whitewater wave / Recreation

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Example 3

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

Riffles

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Alternatives: Lower Reach

York Street to I-70 York Street to I 70

Minimum Improvements:

• Increase in

I-70

riparian at edges N Minimum Improvements Maximum Improvements:

• Increase in

I-70

• Increase in

riparian and wetland at edges N Maximum Improvements

Riparian Wetland

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Selection Criteria

• Habitat benefits & costs
• Benefits to flood risk

Benefits to flood risk

• Recreation impacts & benefits
• Property acquisition

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

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Study Outcomes & Schedule

Step 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 2016 Propose a preferred plan C & 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 ti Secure Federal Feasibility Study 3 years Complete 2017 Design & Construction 6-12+ years Secure Federal Funding

• 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

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Q & A

www.DenverWaterways.com

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