Colorado Springs Utilities will adopt measures to mitigate adverse
geomorphic effects of increased base flows in Fountain Creek and
Williams Creek Reservoir exchange flow releases, due to the project.
| • |
Development of a constructed channel
in a currently unchannelized area just downstream of the reservoir,
in order to improve conveyance efficiency and reduce erosion
potential. |
| • |
Removal or modification of multiple
small dams along William’s Creek to improve the conveyances
capacity and efficiency. |
| • |
Along Williams Creek, flattening
of side slope, installation of buried riprap, and installation
of erosion control blankets and vegetative protection at locations
determined susceptible to geomorphic effects associated with
exchange releases. |
| • |
Increased erosion in other regions
of the study area may occur as a result of higher baseflows
associated with increased wastewater return flows from Colorado
Springs. Because of the anticipated difficulty of separating
the direct effects of the SDS project from non-project effects,
a more comprehensive, watershed approach will be taken to address
these additional geomorphic issues for all alternatives. |
| • |
Through coordination with the Fountain
Creek Watershed Study and evaluation of various sites within
the study area, channel stabilization work at the following
locations is proposed. |
| |
• |
Fountain Creek from Upstream of
Fountain Boulevard to Upstream of Colorado 85/87 at Sand Creek
Confluence |
| |
• |
Fountain Creek between CR 102
(upstream) and Young Hollow Road (downstream) at Young Hollow
Confluence |
| |
• |
Jimmy Camp Creek from Upstream of Fontaine
Boulevard to Downstream of Peaceful Valley Road |
| • |
The geomorphic mitigation plan for
the SDS Project also includes a monitoring and maintenance program
to monitor the river system, upgrade bank stabilization along
the proposed stabilization sites, or introduce bank stabilization
measures along other reaches as needed as a result of SDS Project
operations. |
| • |
A long-term monitoring program will
be established to evaluate and mitigate any long-term effects
on fluvial geomorphology associated with the alternatives. |
| • |
Monitoring and adaptive management
will be a part of the mitigation strategies regardless of the
alternative selected. |
| • |
An integrated adaptive management
program will be developed for the project that will coordinate
with the participants’ existing monitoring programs and
environmental management systems. |
