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Water Supply Reserve Account - Grant and Loan Program <br />Water Activity Summary Sheet <br />Applicant: Greenway Foundation <br />Amount Requested: $150,000 <br />Water Activity Name: South Platte River Recreation and Habitat Feasibility Study <br />Source of Funds: Metro Account <br />Matching Funds: None <br />Water Activity Purpose: Study or analysis of a structural, nonstrucutural, and nonconsumptive activity <br />County: Denver County <br />Drainage Basin: South Platte <br />Water Source: South Platte River <br />Staff Recommendation <br />The proposed project furthers the Metro Roundtable's needs assessment and helps addresses one of Metro <br />area's significant nonconsumptive needs. Staff recommends approval of up to $150,000 from the Metro <br />Account contingent on resolution of the item in the issues/additional needs section. <br />Water Activity Summary: <br />Applicant <br />The Greenway Foundation is the 501c3 non-profit organization that has, since 1974, been dedicated to the <br />environmental and recreational reclamation of the South Platte River (and its tributaries) within the Denver <br />Metro Area. <br />Overvieir of the Water Activity <br />The South Platte River through the metro Denver area has been channelized. The natural flow regime has <br />been regulated; high flows have been dampened and base flows have increased. The natural aquatic habitat <br />that existed before urbanization has been replaced with steep banks and little diversity in streambed <br />structure. The changes in hydrology and geomorphology have resulted in reduced riparian and aquatic <br />diversity. In addition to the limited habitat and aquatic species, there is not much recreational use in this <br />reach primarily because of perceived poor water quality. Because of the development surrounding this reach, <br />there is little opportunity to widen the river; however, the Chatfield Reservoir reallocation of flood storage <br />could result in dedicated instream flows that would benefit recreation and aquatic habitat in the South Platte <br />River through Denver. <br />The Greenway Foundation will perform a feasibility study identifying habitat and recreation improvement <br />alternatives associated with fixture instream flow expectations. The objective of the habitat improvements <br />would be to increase native riparian vegetation, and increase the abundance of aquatic life habitat. The <br />location, type, and quality of existing habitat and riparian vegetation could be identified through field <br />reconnaissance. Proposed improvement options would be developed to compliment the existing habitat and <br />vegetation. Biological, physical, and hydrological characteristics would be examined and improvement <br />options will be identified based on stakeholder input. The feasibility study would also identify required <br />permits to implement the proposed improvements.