We Can Do This
Three Ways To Tackle Flood Hazards In Our Neighborhood
Last month, I urged you, the readers of this column, to jump in with both feet to address our neighborhood’s flood hazards. In the spirit of those comments, I have initiated three specific projects for you/us to get involved in right now.
Before diving into the details, however, I want to talk briefly about how each of these three separate and rather different projects plays an important part in treating the Montclair Arroyo Watershed better. These projects underscore the important concept that a watershed is not just the main channel, and perhaps the larger and therefore more important tributary channels.
All part of the watershed
All of the land that sends runoff, directly or circuitously, to the main channel or to the tributary channels is part of the watershed. The proper functioning of all of those components matters to the well-being of the watershed. In fact, ongoing research is demonstrating that it is the smaller and more localized storm events in a watershed that lead to long-term changes in the watershed, as opposed to the larger and more spectacular events.
With that in mind, here are some ideas:
• Ask the city to create a floodplain park for the former Xcel Station near City Floral.
• Attend a daylong training workshop for design professionals on low impact development and green infrastructure.
• Attend a 2–3 hour-long workshop for homeowners and small business owners on how to improve the watershed in your own back (or front) yard.
Creating a floodplain park
If you have ever walked by, driven by, or shopped at City Floral at the corner of 14th Avenue and Kearney Street, you probably know that there is (now was) an electric substation, owned by Xcel Energy.
Now closed and retired, Xcel has recently removed all of their electrical equipment from that site and the City of Denver has the first right of refusal for the property. Flood depths on the site during a 1 percent annual risk (100-year) flood event range from 3 to 6 feet; in the adjacent intersection those depths are greater than 6 feet. The site is in the lowest portion of the floodprone bottomlands.
It is a perfect candidate for the first floodplain park in the area. This property needs to be open space.
Here’s what you can do: Contact members of the Denver City Council and let them know that you want the City to purchase that Xcel Energy property at 14th and Kearney, and transform it into a floodplain park.
Councilman Chris Herndon represents Park Hill. His number is 720-337-8888 and his email is Christopher.Herndon@denvergov.org. Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman represents Mayfair and Lowry, and previously represented a portion of Park Hill. Her number is 720-337-5555, and email is marybeth.susman@denvergov.org. In addition, two at-large council members represent the entire city. Contact Councilwoman Robin Kniech at 720-337-7712 kniechatlarge@denvergov.org, and Councilwoman Debbie Ortega at 720-337-7713.
Development workshop for pros
On Thursday, June 29, Greater Park Hill Community and the Colorado Stormwater Center are sponsoring a daylong training workshop for design professionals on planning, design, evaluation, construction and maintenance of green infrastructure (GI) and low impact development (LID) practices.
The use of GI/LID practices is growing exponentially throughout the US and represents the new paradigm of stormwater management.
The workshop will be held at GPHC’s offices, at 2823 Fairfax St. The building, along with the adjacent properties on the west side of that business block, will be used as case studies. Among the options to be discussed are green options that design professionals can consider to increase permeability along areas with continuous sidewalks
The workshop will cost $200 per attendee, with a limit of 20 attendees, and will include lunch and study materials. Sign-up details are available through GPHC.
Stormwater workshop for residents
As stormwater quality concerns increase, individual homeowners and business owners can take steps to help improve the quality of the watersheds on their own properties.
Have you wondered whether you would help the watershed by installing a rain barrel or a rain garden, or through any other landscaping or gardening practices? Would you like to learn how to implement these practices? This workshop will teach you that many of these practices are easy to initiate. They can be used to help treat stormwater at the source.
The logistical details of this workshop are still being arranged, and will be announced in the June issue of the newspaper. We anticipate a date for the workshop will be in June or July, so stay tuned.
The time has come for taking action to make our watershed better. Nobody else can do that for you. We are all counting on one another to make this happen. Let’s do it.
Brian Hyde is an expert in floodplain management and stream restoration. He wants your feedback at westerly_connect_brian@comcast.net or 720-939-6039. Past columns can be read at greaterparkhill.org.