A project jointly sponsored by the District and the City of Denver won a CASFM Honor award at the 16^th Annual Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (CASFM) conference held in Steamboat Springs in September.  A brief description of the project is given below.

The Hutchinson Park and Goldsmith Gulch Channel Improvements was a joint project sponsored by the Denver Parks Department and the District's Maintenance Program.  Construction of the project was completed in late summer of 2004.  The 17.5-acre project site has a large wetland area with a formal park on one side and a boardwalk trail along the drainageway.  The wetland was starting to degrade due to channel incising, which was lowering the water surface.  Drop structures were needed to repair the degraded channel and elevate the water surface back up to its original elevation.  The Parks Department wanted to upgrade the trail system in the park and connect it to the regional trail as well as improve the playground and install new equipment.

Faux rock drop structure sculpted to resemble natural outcropping

The $1.2 million project included construction of faux rock drop structures providing a place to sit next to the water; channel stabilization and rehabilitation; installation of a recycled pedestrian bridge salvaged from another District project, providing the opportunity to view wetlands and wildlife; an upgraded trail system connecting to the regional trail; and irrigation and playground improvements.  The project also removed several condominium buildings from the floodplain.  Although they were not in the official floodplain, hydraulic modeling for the project showed them to be.

One unique feature of this project was the construction of a water quality pond to capture and treat stormwater runoff from a large parking area.  Over the top of the water quality pond is a new boardwalk that appears to float over the wetland as if bridging the area without support.  This was achieved through a center pier design.  Ironwood, known for its 50-year lifespan, was used for decking; and Alaskan Cedar was used to develop the curved alignment and enhance the edges of the boardwalk.  It also provided an element of safety, while concealing the foundation.

The "floating bridge" over the water quality pond