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 1

Study Sponsors 2

Tonight’s Agenda 1. Overview of Study 2. Review Existing Conditions 3. Present Potential Ways to Meet Study Goals 4. Present Next Steps 5 5. Gather Feedback G th F db k 3

Study Area South Platte River South Platte River 58 th Ave 38 th Ave Colfax Ave 6 th Ave 4

Study Goals P i Primary Goal: G l R Restore ecosystem habitat t t h bit t Secondary Goal: Reduce flood risks 5

Complementary Goal Photos: The Greenway Foundation Improve Access to Recreation Environmental Education Opportunities In-River Recreation 6

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 7

Other Denver Projects in the Area South Platte River South Platte River • Sun Valley Master Plan • South Platte River Vision – South • National Western Stock Show • Interstate 70 Reconstruction I t t t 70 R t ti • Brighton Blvd Corridor Redevelopment • River North Pedestrian Bridge River North Pedestrian Bridge • River North Park • Festival Street / Arkins Court Realignment g • Confluence Park 8

Existing Conditions Ecological Ecological Development impacts have caused a reduction in the quantity, distribution, and functional quality of riparian, wetland, and aquatic habitat 9

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 10

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 11

Opportunities to Improve Habitat In channel habitat In-channel habitat Riparian/wetland habitat Riparian/wetland habitat http://www.flyfishing.co.uk/ Zahm, Gary, USFWS Stutzman, Jim, USFWS http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov • Streambed variation / riffles • Decrease non-native species Decrease non-native species • Improve water quality • Increase year-round flows 12 downstream of Burlington Canal

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

Existing Conditions Adjacent Uses Adjacent Uses Constraints • Sanitary Sewers Sanitary Sewers • Adjacent Developed Property • Bridges 14

Existing Conditions Adjacent Uses Adjacent Uses Opportunities • Adjacent Redevelopment Adj R d l • Adjacent Park / City Property 15

Public Input to Date • Recreation • Walking, cycling routes, in-river • Water Quality • Influences recreation, urban runoff heavy with debris • Habitat H bit t • 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 16

Ways to Improve Habitat Existing Condition 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 17

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 18

Ways to Improve Habitat Maximum Improvement Option 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 19

Ways to Improve Habitat I-70 N Speer Blvd N Example 1: Example 1: National Western & Northside Park 20

Example 1: National Western & Northside Park 21 At 48 th , Looking North towards Northside Park Existing

Example 1: National Western & Northside Park After perspective will go here After perspective will go here 22 Proposed Looking North towards Northside Park

Example 1 Narrow Low Flow Channel Create Vegetation Terraces 23

Ways to Improve Habitat I-70 N Speer Blvd N Example 2: Example 2: Near Elitch Gardens 24

Example 2: Near Elitch Gardens Existing Looking North near Elitch Gardens 25

Example 2: Near Elitch Gardens • Laying Back the Banks • Increase Wetland Terraces • Narrowing Low Flow channel Proposed Looking North near Elitch Gardens 26

Ways to Improve Habitat I-70 N Speer Blvd N Example 3: Cuernavaca Park Cuernavaca Park 27

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 • Wetland terraces • In-river whitewater wave / Recreation 29 Proposed Looking North towards Cuernavaca Park

Example 3 http://www.flyfishing.co.uk/ Riffles 30

Alternatives: Lower Reach York Street to I-70 York Street to I 70 Minimum Improvements: • Increase in riparian at I-70 edges N Minimum Improvements Maximum Improvements: • Increase in • Increase in riparian and I-70 wetland at edges Riparian N Wetland 31 Maximum Improvements

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? 32

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 • Corps & CCD select preferred plan C & CCD l t f d l L t Late 2017 2017 33

Long term Schedule Feasibility Study Feasibility Study Secure Federal Secure Federal D Design & Construction i & C t ti 3 years Funding 6-12+ years Complete 2017 Min. 2 years 34

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