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11-1 SECTION II STUDY AREA DESCRIPTIONS When John Simpson Marsh settled at the site of Denver in 1857 he drew his drinking water directly from the South Platte River. In 1858 when gold was discovered and the population of Denver and Auraria mushroomed, the increased population resulted in a dramatic decline in the water quality of the South Platte River and soon the new settlers were obtaining water from wells or from out of town sources. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION The South Platte River Master Drainage Plan includes the South Platte River from Chatfield Reservoir in Jefferson County to Baseline Road in Brighton. The study area includes the Denver Metropolitan area which had a population in 1980 of 1,620,000. In this reach the South Platte River passes through or is adjacent to Adams County, Brighton, Thornton, Commerce City, Denver, Englewood, Sheridan, Arapahoe County, Littleton, Columbine Valley, Jefferson County and Douglas County. The reader is referred to Figures 111-1 and 111-2. By 1872 Denver had indoor plumbing and water supplied by the Denver City Water Company, which obtained some of its water from the South Platte River near Cherry Creek. Soon the intakes had to be extended further upstream from the city to obtain clean water. RIVER USES The South Platte River serves many functions as it passes through the Denver Metropolitan area. The most important function of the river is to carry off urban runoff and tributary flows. Because the river flows through the highly urbanized Denver Metropolitan area, the river provides a convenient source of recreation to its residents. The river provides boating, fishing, jogging paths, and an ideal setting for pocket parks, Another service pro- vided by the river is the transport of water from the upstream basin and mountain reservoirs to supply the needs of the municipal, industrial and agricultural water users. The river also provides a means of diluting and carrying off sewage effluent. Finally, the river throughout its history has carried sand and gravel from the foothills and mountains and deposited them in the floodplain, This sand and gravel is now being mined, particularly in the area downstream of Denver. It provides a significant source of income to the area as well as providing the raw materials for the concrete used for paving and construction of buildings. In 1886 the city had a public sewer collecting discharge from the water closets and kitchen sinks of 54,000 people. Raw sewage was carried to the South Platte River near 27th Street. As the river changed from a source of recreation, navigation and water supply to a polluted stream avoided by the citizens, the river became the location for slaughterhouses, junkyards, railroad yards, and solid waste disposal. The history of the South Platte River began to change for the better in 1974 when the Platte River Development Committee initiated the task of restoring the river to its former importance to the city. This group, using public and private funds, started this task with the development of Confluence Park at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River. Later a sys- tem of trails and greenways along the river and a general cleaning up of the river environment encouraged the recreational use of the river corridor. In addition, boat chutes were constructed at several major dams to encourage boating on the river. Many of the participants in the original Platte River Development Committee have since served the privately funded Platte River Greenway Foundation which is now a major force for the improvement of the South Platte River. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE In the 1850's the South Platte River served as a waterway and trail route for transportation of supplies and immigrants to the west.