In 2013, Douglas County and the Mile High Flood District began stream reclamation on Happy Canyon Creek located upstream of I-25, about 11.3 miles upstream of Cherry Creek Reservoir due to increased frequency and magnitude of storms. In 2021 and 2022, CCBWQA and City of Lone Tree were added to the Project. The stream bank has eroded up to 10 feet in some areas causing distress to the wetland and riparian vegetation.

BEFORE PHOTOS

The reclamation design included improvement of approximately 3000 linear feet to create a healthy stream that promoted natural infiltration by raising the incised channel and promoting natural stream features with engineered bed and bank protection providing for sediment transport from base flows through minor flood and conveyance of the larger storms.  

AFTER PHOTOS

Naranjo Civil Constructors began construction on the project in February 2023 and completed construction in November 2023. Photos 4-6 show the constructed stream reclamation. Photo 4 highlights a few of the riffle drop structures. Photo 5 shows the raised stream bed connected to the overbanks and the wetland and riparian plantings, and Photo 6 shows the sculpted concrete drop structure.

In 2021, the Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA) and CCBWQA began stream reclamation on Dove Creek from Otero Avenue to Dove Creek Pond D-1 about 5.2 miles upstream of Cherry Creek Reservoir. In 2023, the first phase of construction began, with phase 2 anticipated to start in 2024. Urbanization of the watershed upstream has increased the rate, frequency, and magnitude of storm flows in Dove Creek incising the streambed with up to 6 feet with steep eroded banks.

BEFORE PHOTOS

RESPEC’s design goals included creating a healthy stable stream that could convey storm flows up to the 100-year recurrence interval with integrated vegetation to promote the natural and beneficial functions of filtration and infiltration to improve water quality. RESPEC used step pool structures for grade control, bank protection (void-filled riprap, soil lifts, and vegetation), and grading to create overbanks providing a wider stream corridor which stabilizes the stream and reduces erosion potential. 

Stream reclamation reduces erosion and immobilizes nutrients in the soil, reducing nutrient concentrations in the stream. Four sediment capture areas similar to forebays retain coarser sediments entering the stream to facilitate ease of maintenance and provide an environmentally sustainable practice.