i_wrrc_2016a_2016-08-16t09:59:09z5 Hearing Summary

Date: 08/16/2016

01:32 PM -- South Platte River Restoration and Flood Control Study



The committee came back to order. Jeff Shoemaker, Executive Director of the Greenway Foundation, provided an overview of the Denver County South Platte River Restoration and Flood Control Feasibility Study. This study will identify and prioritize plans to restore the habitat and ecosystem as well as reduce the flood risk along critical reaches of the South Platte River. This study is a collaborative effort that is sponsored by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, City and County of Denver, Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), and the Greenway Foundation.



01:34 PM



Peter Baertlein, Denver Public Works Department, explained that the areas addressed under the Denver County South Platte River Restoration and Flood Control Feasibility Study extend from 6th Avenue to 58th Avenue, as well as sections of Harvard Gulch, and Weir Gulch. He also identified funding for the study including the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the City and County of Denver (Attachment E).



Attachment E.pdf



01:38 PM



David Bennetts, Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD), discussed the role of UDFCD and described the elements of the South Platte restoration and flood control project.



01:41 PM



Mr Baertlein discussed the Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch elements of the Denver County South Platte River Restoration and Flood Control Feasibility Study. He also identified public outreach efforts related to these projects and identified potential funding mechanisms for the projects.



01:45 PM



Selena Klosowski, Denver Public Works Department, discussed the role of the department in the Denver County South Platte River Restoration and Flood Control Feasibility Study. She also identified components of the project to restore habitat, improve recreation, and mitigate floods.



01:48 PM



Gordon Robertson, Denver Parks and Recreation Department, identified improvements that are part of the Denver County South Platte River Restoration and Flood Control Project.



01:52 PM



Mr. Shoemaker discussed the 1965 South Platte flood and explained how it lead to large flood control projects, such as Cherry Creek Reservoir. He also explained how flood control projects enabled residential and commercial development along the South Platte River.



01:53 PM



Mr Baertlein discussed the next steps in the Denver County South Platte River Restoration and Flood Control Feasibility Study including efforts to identify funding for the project.



01:56 PM



The panel responded to questions from the committee about the benefits of development along the South Platte River that occurred in response to flood control and river restoration projects.