FLOOD07038

• County: Statewide
• Community: All
• Stream Name: All
• Basin: South Platte
• Title: ASFPM Abstracts, etc. 1994
• Date: 1/1/1994
• Prepared For: ASFPM
• Prepared By: ASFPM
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

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mSTORIC ARKANSAS RIVER PROJECT

by
Donald H. Brandes, Jr., ASLA

The Historic Arkansas River Project (HARP) is a downtown waterfront development project led
by the City of Pueblo, Colorado and a group of dedicated citizens who have a vision for the future
of their downtown.

Historically, the Arkansas River defined the international border between Mexico and the French
Territory prior to the area being part of the United States. The Arkansas River was also an
important corridor for travel and settlement in the early exploration and settlement of Colorado.
Zebulong Pike reportedly carnped along the banks of the Arkansas within the project area on an
early expedition. Early settle.rs also camped along the river. Attracted by the river and the mild
climate, some of these early pioneers decided to stay, thus creating the beginnings of anew town,
Pueblo, Colorado.

As Pueblo developed from a smaIl settlement into a city, the commercial center of the city and the
region established itself along the banks of the Arkansas River in what is now downtown Pueblo.
In 1921, Pueblo realized a de.vastating 500 year flood, and many of the buildings adjacent to the
river were destroyed, along with bridges spanning the river. In order to eliminate this from
occurring again, Pueblo Resl~rvoir was constructed and the Arkansas River was diverted and
channelized into its present alignment south of its original location.

Today, the historical location of the Arkansas River channel which is the project area for HARP is
unrecognizable as a river charmel. A small diversion from the Arkansas river still provides a small
flow (approximately 38 cubic feet per second) through the area. This water is used for cooling
for the West Plains Energy power plant which is currently located adjacent to the project area.
The water is not visible as it passes through the most active and urbanized area of downtown.
The water is conveyed underground for over two city blocks through two large 96" pipes. In this
area, the river channel has been filled in and now serves as public parking. When the water
re-emerges, it is in a deep drainage channel before leaving the site to outfall in Runyon Lake.

Design Studios West, Inc., in association with James E. Keeter, FASLA of San Antonio, Texas,
and Wright Water Engineers, Inc., of Denver, Colorado have worked closely with the City of
Pueblo Department of Planning and Development, Public Works and Transportation, the Pueblo
Board of Water Works, the Pueblo Conservancy District, and West Plains Energy, Inc. to
complete the 40 percent Final Design for the Historic Arkansas River Project. The progress of
the design has been closely monitored by the Planning Department and reviewed continuously by
other city departments and the HARP committee and its members.

Donald H. Brandes,Jr. ASLA, President, Design Studios West, 1425 Market Street, Suite 100, Denver,
Colorado 80202, Tel. [phone]