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<br />upstream. The 500-year "project" flood is fully contained within the Westerly Creek <br />Dam. Further downstream is Kelly Road Dam, built in the 1950's to provide <br />downstream protection ;n the 1OD-year event. The Urban Drainage & Flood Control <br />District will become the new owner of the two major detention facilities to provide e <br />continued operation and maintenance. <br /> <br />Drainage improvements on the former Air Force Base are constrained by the <br />environmental cleanup of the site. A primary concem is potential impacts to <br />groundwater caused by modification of drainage and infiltration pattems. The Air Force <br />remediation consultant, Versar, requested that drainage within the identified <br />groundwater contaminant plume not be impacted until the environmental remediation is <br />complete. <br /> <br />Westerly Creek had previously been piped underground between the detention facilities <br />to allow the Air Force to develop an airfield. Redevelopment of the site will allow some <br />of the conveyance to be by open channels for improved drainage conveyance, <br />reduction of the floodplain and aesthetics. In commercial areas of the redevelopment, <br />the value of land was an important consideration and naTTC1wer, box culverts and <br />underground pipes were favored over broad open channels. Although land use <br />economics often forced many of the minor drainageways to be piped, the open space <br />water features envisioned by the landscape architectural finn, Wenk & Associates, will <br />provide a useful recreational amenity at Lowry. <br /> <br />A significant portion of the Lowry property under redevelopment is devoted to recreation <br />and open space, Utilizing the Westerly Creek drainage corridor for open space <br />provides a connection to regional trails and open space parks,as well as necessary .. <br />stormwater conveyance. A unique feature proposed for the site is the placement of .. <br />trails to the top of Westerly Creek Dam Where visitors have unmatched views of the city. <br /> <br />Preservation of open space for drainage also provides an opportunity for establishment <br />of wetlands. The wetlands serve an important role as habitat and water quality <br />improvement. Wetlands capture sediment from stonnwater runoff and harbor important <br />bacteria for breaking down pollutants. <br /> <br />Combining the benefits of flood control, stormwater management, open space, wildlife <br />habitat and improved water. quality into drainage planning yields many long-term <br />rewards. Understanding the benefits a drainageway can provide will help direct <br />planning for a sustainable watershed. <br /> <br />Additional Information: <br />Dennis Arbogast, PE <br />Associate <br />SRW, Inc. <br />555 Uinta Way, Bldg. 1435 <br />Denver, Colorado 80220 <br />(303) 326-7136 <br />(303) 343-0052 fax <br />dr,rbn@brwIlMuo.com <br /> <br />Robert Krehbiel, PE <br />Water Resources Engineer <br />SAW, Inc. <br />1225 1 T" Street, Suite 200 <br />Denver, Colorado 80202 <br />(303) 312-4542 <br />(303) 313-0700 1'ax <br />rkrcb@brwI!mUll.cotr! <br />C:\oARSCkasIm_y creek casfm98.cloc <br /> <br />e <br />