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The East Shade Shelter stabilization project is located along East CCSP Road in the Cherry Creek State Park approximately ¼ mile from the East Boat Ramp and just south of the Smoky Hill Trail. The project area is isolated to the north portion of the East Shade Structures.  This project was identified as a pollution abatement project in 2014. RESPEC was selected as the design consultant for the project in May 2021 which included both the East Shade Shelter (Phase III) and Tower Loop (Phase II). In 2022, the Tower Loop Phase II Project was reprioritized and moved to the future funding date of 2032; and the East Shade Shelter Stabilization project moved forward with final design and permitting. Construction was completed in June 2025. 

Goals of the Project and Summary of Improvements

• Improve the water quality at the project site through shoreline/bank stabilization through restorative measures and improved vegetation cover.
• Minimize the risk of waves, ice, and surface runoff and erosion caused by pedestrian traffic by stabilizing banks with riprap (fieldstone), soil riprap, and grouted boulder walls where needed.
• Isolate pedestrian access to designated areas and preserve native vegetation.  
• Use natural materials that require minimized maintenance.

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The Cherry Creek at Dransfeldt project is located on Cherry Creek near Dransfeldt Road, just downstream of the Cherry Creek at KOA project which was completed in the summer of 2021.  The stream improvements are approximately 12 miles upstream of the reservoir.  The project sponsors are CCBWQA, Town of Parker, and the Mile High Flood District, which is the project lead.  The proposed stream improvements were designed by Muller Engineering and began construction by the awarded contractor (CEI) in April 2024 and completed in Fall of 2025.

Goals of the Project and Summary of Improvements

The design approach to stream water quality improvements was to utilize a higher-functioning, lower-maintenance (HFLM) design approach to stabilize the active channel to prevent existing and future erosion, improve connection to overbanks to reduce channel shear stress, and enhance riparian and upland vegetation.  

The proposed stream restoration benefits the water quality in Cherry Creek and ultimately Cherry Creek Reservoir by reducing bank and bed erosion which immobilizes phosphorus in the adjacent soils.  It is estimated that this 0.45-mile-long project will immobilize an estimated 41 pounds of phosphorus annually.

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In 2020, the Mile High Flood District, Douglas County and CCBWQA began the planning efforts to improve the reach of Cherry Creek upstream of Scott Avenue in Douglas County. Design was completed in 2023 and construction began in  September 2024 and was substantially complete by Spring 2025.

Goals of the Project and Summary of Improvements

The design approach to stream water quality improvements was to utilize a higher-functioning, lower-maintenance (HFLM) design approach to stabilize the active channel to prevent existing and future erosion, improve connection to overbanks to reduce channel shear stress, and enhance riparian and upland vegetation.  

The proposed stream restoration benefits the water quality in Cherry Creek and ultimately Cherry Creek Reservoir by reducing bank and bed erosion which immobilizes phosphorus in the adjacent soils.  It is estimated that this 0.81-mile-long project will immobilize an estimated 73 pounds of phosphorus annually.

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The Water Quality Pond W6/7 project is a retrofit of an existing extended detention basin (EDB) located along Windmill Creek at Jordan Road and East Briarwood Avenue. The pond serves as a regional water quality facility for 395 tributary acres of upstream development that has an existing watershed imperviousness of 39.1% and a projected future imperviousness of 80.0% according to the Major Drainageway Plan for Cherry Creek Southwest Tributaries (WWE, July 2024). The pond is located approximately 2 miles upstream of the confluence of Cottonwood Creek in the Cherry Creek State Park and is approximately 4 +/- stream miles upstream of the reservoir. Check out the drone imagery for the project!

Goals of the Project and Summary of Improvements

• Construction of an approximately 380-cubic foot (15-cubic yard) concrete forebay at the pond’s northeast outfall locations.
• Construction of a concrete trickle channel from the new proposed forebay to the outlet structure, and extension of the existing trickle channel from the south.
• Construction of maintenance access to the pond bottom and along the proposed and existing trickle channels that were eroding.
•  Provisions for maintenance to the new and existing forebay to the south. 
• Modifications to the outlet structure to provide a confined micropool at the outlet structure and modification to the existing orifice plate and replacement of the trash rack to SEMSWA standards.

Overall Project Milestones

• 2020 – Cherry Creek CCSP Assessment and Monitoring Study initiated
• December 2022 – Cherry Creek CCSP Channel Assessment and Monitoring Report completed and accepted by the Board
• March 2023 – Board/TAC project workshop held to discuss assessment findings and path forward for design
• April 2023 – Board approved scope for Alternatives Analysis; Muller began Alternatives Analysis for Cherry Creek Reach 1
• May 2023 – Stakeholder field trip conducted for Cherry Creek Reach 1
• April 2024 – Muller presented alternatives at TAC meeting
• May 2024 – Muller completed Alternatives Analysis Report
• July 2024 – CCBWQA Board accepted Alternatives Analysis Report
• July 2024 – CCBWQA Board approved Conceptual and Preliminary Design scope
• September 2024 – Muller began Conceptual and Preliminary Design
• February 2025 – Conceptual Design (30%) completed
• January 2026 –Expected Completion of Preliminary Design (60%)

2025 Achievements

• Completed the Conceptual Design (30%) and advanced the project through Preliminary Design (60%).
• CCBWQA held regular coordination meetings with project stakeholders/ potential funding partners.
• MHFD prepared a draft Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for construction funding assistance and grant pursuit; execution is anticipated in 2026.
• Design team installed groundwater monitoring wells within the project area and collected data during the 2025 monitoring season to evaluate the potential for future wetland and vegetation establishment.
• CCBWQA and Muller met with Aurora Water to discuss potential funding participation; it is understood that Aurora will partner with CCBWQA once funding determinations are finalized.
• Coordinated with Aurora Water regarding protection of existing transmission lines; an acceptable path forward has been established.
• Coordinated a meeting with CCBWQA Board members in September 2025 to observe existing conditions of the channel. 
• Project team initiated early coordination with USACE regarding the Section 404 permitting process; the project anticipates pursuing a Nationwide Permit 27 for aquatic restoration.
• Began early coordination with USACE regarding the Section 408 permitting and real estate review process; the project is evaluating options to balance cut and fill onsite and will further assess opportunities for project phasing if needed