The McMurdo Gulch – 2020 Stream Reclamation Project (2020 Project) continues work done with the Town of Castle Rock that began in 2011. An Adaptive Management Approach (AMA) is being used on McMurdo Gulch. The AMA monitors McMurdo Gulch as development occurs, monitoring stream changes and degradation, and phasing stream reclamation when it is needed. This approach minimizes impacts to the natural and beneficial functions and water quality. Muller Engineering Company designed the 2020 Project that includes three separate sites totaling approximately 2,000 Linear Feet.

53 Corporation constructed the 2020 Project from June to November 2020. The project is substantially complete with exception of shrub and tree plantings that will be done in the Spring 2021 planting window.

The project is estimated to cost $1,677,000 with the CCBWQA’s share being $420,000. It immobilizes an estimated 34 pounds of Phosphorus per year.

The CCBWQA began the operation of the Reservoir Destratification System at Cherry Creek Reservoir (RDS) in April 2008. Shortly after startup, the air compressor began shutting down through internal overheating protection. The issues continued over the years affecting both the operation time and operating pressure. In 2020, CCBWQA replaced the compressor through a design-build procurement process. The selected bidder, Ingersoll Rand, installed a 100 Horsepower motor compressor capable of delivering 317 cfm at 100 psi on-site (exceeds performance specification), and a variable speed drive. CCBWQA added a receiver tank in the bid alternate to lower the pressure changes and extend the life of the compressor. Pressure regulators were included to allow CCBWQA to adjust the pressure to 58 psi.

The RDS’ water quality benefits include:

• Reduction of approximately 810 pounds of Phosphorus per year;
• Disrupting blue-green algae life cycles as part of the whole algal assemblage;
• Decreasing periods when the reservoir is thermally stratified during the summer.

The compressor replacement restores the original operation parameters and associated water quality benefits.

The compressor replacement cost $314,241 and was funded 100% by the CCBWQA.

The Cherry Creek at KOA project has degraded due to an increase in urbanization, and the rate, frequency, duration and magnitude of stormwater runoff. These effects have accelerated the degradation of the streambed and banks resulting in the loss of wetlands and upland vegetation.

This project raises the streambed and re-establishes the water table to prevent further loss of vegetation and down-cutting, erosion, and sediment transport issues. The overall project goals are to restore and enhance the aquatic, wetland, and riparian functions of Cherry Creek and immobilize nutrients in the stream banks to improve water quality.

The design of this project is complete, and construction is underway. Project completion is scheduled for Summer 2021. This project is estimated to cost $2,035,000 with the CCBWQA’s share being $375,000. It immobilizes an estimated 34 pounds of Phosphorus per year.

The Cherry Creek 12-mile Park Phase III project continues the work completed in 2012 and 2014. This project protects infrastructure that was built in the previous phases and provides a transition to the new flow path is taken by Cherry Creek in 2017. The goal is to minimize stream degradation and while letting it take its own course. The overall project goals are to allow the stream to move where it wants, minimize the degradation of the stream bed, and improve water quality.

The design of this project is complete, and the initial construction is anticipated for the Fall of 2021 to the Summer of 2022. It protects the previous phases of work and provides stream reclamation on 270 Linear Feet of Cherry Creek. Monitoring is planned and future phases may be needed based on the response of the stream and future changes. The total project cost is estimated at $405,000 and is 100% CCBWQA funded. It immobilizes an estimated 5 pounds of Phosphorus per year.