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Public meetings scheduled for Denver Urban Waterways Restoration Study

Published April 20, 2015
OMAHA, NE - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with the city and county of Denver, will hold three public meetings to gather input on the recently initiated Denver Waterways Restoration Study. The purpose of the study is to identify ecosystem restoration and flood risk reduction opportunities along critical areas of the South Platte River from 6th Avenue to 58th Avenue and flood-prone areas of Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch.

The meetings will take place at the following locations:

April 29

  • South Platte River Public Meeting
  • Fairview Elementary School, 2715 W. 11th Ave.
  • (Spanish, Ethiopian, Vietnamese and Somali interpretation will be provided.)

May 6  

  • Harvard Gulch Public Meeting          
  • Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave.

May 7  

  • Weir Gulch Public Meeting
  • Barnum Recreation Center, 360 W. Hooker St.
  • (Spanish interpretation will be provided.)

The public meetings will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a brief opening presentation beginning at 6 p.m. followed by an open house period. “During the open house period, the cooperating agencies will answer questions the public may have about the study and gather their input on opportunities to improve the ecosystem along portions of the South Platte River and incorporate new recreation features where possible,” said Tiffany Vanosdall, project manager with the Corps of Engineers. “The Corps and the city and county of Denver are also interested in hearing about flooding issues and ecosystem restoration opportunities along Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch.”

BACKGROUND: Urban growth in Denver has negatively impacted the ecosystem surrounding the South Platte River and its tributaries, specifically Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch. Migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird treaty Act and other species rely on riparian corridors and wetland habitat, both of which have been lost with the channelization of these waterways and increased development to include buildings, pavement and turf. Numerous structures, including a hospital access route, major highways, roads and railroads, are also located in flood-prone areas of Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch.

In 2000, Congress provided approval for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study ecosystem and flood risk issues along the South Platte River in Arapahoe and Adams Counties. Congress added Denver County to the study authorization in 2008, and the reconnaissance study was completed by the Corps in 2010. The results of that study indicated federal interest in pursuing a comprehensive feasibility study with the city and county of Denver as the cost-share sponsor. 

Input on the study may be submitted at the public meetings, online or mailed to: 

  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; 
  • CENWO-PM-AA; ATTN: Denver Waterways Restoration Study Project Manager; 
  • 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, NE 68102-4901. 
  • Visit www.DenverWaterways.com for study updates.

Contact
Tiffany Vanosdall
tiffany.k.vanosdall@usace.army.mil
or
Eileen Williamson
402-995-2417
eileen.l.williamson@usace.army.mil

Release no. 150420-001