FLOOD10354

• County: Mesa
• Community: Grand Junction
• Stream Name: Colorado River
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Title: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Waterfront Redevelopment and Design - A Case Study of the Colorado Riverfront
• Date: 6/1/1988
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

Chapter I
Introduction

Katherine M. Portner
Grand Jundion
Planning Department

Background

Grand Junction, located in Western Colorado, derived its
name from its proximity to the junction of the Gunnison and
the Colorado Rivers (formerly known as the Grand). It is the
county seat of Mesa County and the largest city between Salt
Lake City, Utah, and Denver, Colorado. Currently, the City
and County populations are estimated at 28,500 and 83,000
respectively. Because of its location and access to highway,
railway, and airway facilities, Grand Junction is the trade and
business center for Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. It
serves a regional trade area of over 200,000 people.

Grand Junction Riverfront

The Colorado River, the largest river system in Colorado,
stretches from the headwaters in Rocky Mountain National
Park in Colorado to Mexico. This mighty river evokes strong
feelings and images to many people. Rich in history, it offers
a haven for hunting, fishing, boating, and hiking enthusiasts
as well as for wildlife. Unfortunately, this image of the majestic
river does not hold true for the segment running through
Grand Junction, where the Colorado and the Gunnison
Rivers meet. Heavy recreational use of the Colorado, enjoyed
near Glenwood Springs and in Horsethief, Ruby, and
Westwater Canyons, is currently impossible through the
Grand Junction segment.
The legacy of Grand Junction's relationship to its river is
much the same as other cities'. Once the "lifeline" of the com-
munity, the river is now a neglected and forgotten resource.
With its urbanized riverfront habitat presently consisting of
junk cars, old tires and trash, the river is a national landmark
in need of rejuvenation.
Land uses along the Colorado reflect a century of human
settlement in the Grand Valley. Water from the Colorado and
Gunnison Rivers has been diverted through a system of irri-
gation canals which were constructed at the turn of the
century, allowing farming in an otherwise arid valley. The
urbanized waterfront through Mesa County is typified by
industrial uses, railyards, sewage treatment plants, and
gravel pits.
The urban riverfront is virtually inaccessible in its present
condition. Over the years, it has been lined with junkyards,
chemical storage facilities, and other undesirable uses. The 5th

Industrial Area on North Bank of Colorado River

Street/U.S. HWY 50 bridge, the primary southern entrance
into the City, allows a "bird's eye" view of the "trashed-out"
river banks, creating a negative community image. Although
the Riverfront area represents a major industrial zone of the
City, its condition fails to attract new, clean industry.
In the past, the community has realized the potential benefits
of their river resource. The 1927 Plan for Grand Junction empha-
sized the imponance of the river, and encouraged its use and
development. Since then, there have been various unsuccessful
attempts to utilize this resource. The current effon was sparked
by the floods of 1983 and 1984. During those years, the river
experienced 50- and 6O-year flood events which focused atten-
tion on the river environment. In assessing the flood damage,
the City Council also saw the potential for the riverfront to
become an amenity for economic, social, and recreational
activities.
In 1985, the City Council's top three goals centered around
the river. They were:

1. Improving the image of city entrances.
2. Developing a high-quality industrial park to stimulate
economic development.
3, Encouraging the clean-up and use of the Colorado River.

Staff was then instructed to research the opponunities and
constraints involved in a Riverfront Project. Specific objectives

3