Overview:
The Poudre River Whitewater Park Project (PRWP) included master planning, permitting (including CLOMR/LOMR, 404, SHPO, and CDOT Right-of-Way Access) and preliminary/final design of improvements along the Cache la Poudre River near downtown Fort Collins, Colorado. The project was one of six discrete reaches that comprise a set of improvements identified in the Poudre River Downtown Master Plan (completed by J-U-B) staff). The primary goals of the project were to mitigate flood risk, improve public safety and recreational opportunities for river users, provide fish passage, and restore the existing riparian ecosystem to promote river health and resiliency.
Project Components:
Design included the hydraulic evaluation of Cache la Poudre River (both 1-D and 2-D) and hydrologic evaluation of the adjacent watershed. Key project components included removal of an in-channel irrigation diversion structure, which was replaced with a recreational whitewater park and fish passage structure. The project also incorporated restoration of the riparian corridor, implementation of water quality enhancements, and preservation of existing wetlands. To improve the recreational opportunities the project also included trail connections and construction of a 183-foot long pedestrian bridge crossing the Cache la Poudre River.
Design Team:
J-U-B staff collaborated with City of Fort Collins Staff, BHA Design to provide Landscape Architecture, S2O for design of the whitewater feature, and SM&RC for structural engineering services to bring this project to a successful conclusion.
