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Dams Many small dams of varying types are found throughout the 40-mile river corridor. Most without boat chutes are very dangerous and running them should not be attempted. One of the goals of the recreation master plan was to inventory boating obstructions along the entire study area and indentify possible solutions to these obstacles. The best method for achieving safe boating on the river is to construct a boat chute through the impediment and to build portage facilities that enable a boater to carry his boat around the obstruction if he chooses. The cost of constructing boat chutes could necessitate portaging as an economical alternative until funding can be obtained. Refer to Section III, Geomorphology and Sedimentation, for more detailed information regarding channel obstructions. Reach Six: Cherry Creek to Franklin Street #22 16th Avenue drop structure #23 19th Avenue S-Turn drop #24 Man-made rapids Reach Seven: Franklin Street to Sand Creek #25 8' Concrete dam #26 2' Sheet pile dam #27 6' Wood & rubble dam #28 8' Sheet pile dam #29 3' Rubble dam #30 2' Sheet pile dam #31 Sheet pile sewer line crossing Reach Eight: Sand Creek to Baseline Road #32 88th Avenue-5' rubble dam #33 Fulton Diversion - 8' concrete dam #34 Brantner Diversion - 10' concrete dam #35 Brighton Ditch Diversion - 4' concrete dam X-3 Improve safety Improve safety Navigable Water Quantity During the late summer months of dry years, the river flow is typically not adequate to float any craft other than inner tubes or kayaks. In high-runoff years the river flow can be dangerous to the inexperienced or improperly equipped boater. The south area can experience very low flows depending on releases from Chatfield Reservoir. The central area often carries adequate flows for canoes, kayaks and small rafts depending upon Chatfield releases and tributary inflow. Most of this flow is diverted downstream of Denver into the Burlington Canal; but due to the major discharge of sewage effluent from the Denver Metro Sewage Plant, the flows are generally adequate for boating downstream of the Sand Creek. Refer to Section V, Water Resources, for more detailed information. Chute Notch with cap Chute Chute Chute Notch with cap Notch Chute Chute Chute Chute VEGETATION INVENTORY Genera 1 A survey of the plant communities on the South Platte River floodplain reveals a diverse mixture of vegetation that offers'excellent wildlife habitat. The study site extends from Chatfield Reservoir to Brighton. Information from other past vegetation surveys were incorporated into city parks along the river were not classified into communities but are included in the plant species list. Plant Communities Ten general plant communities were identified along the South Platte River from Chatfield Reservoir to the City of Brighton. 1. Open-Mixed Cottonwood Community Includes mixed species of Peachleaf Willow, Narrowleaf Willow, Box Elder, Narrowleaf Cottonwood, Lanceleaf Cottonwood and is dominated by Plains Cottonwood. Cultivars such as American Elm, Chinese Elm, Russian Olive, Green Ash, and Hawthorns are occasionally found in mixed cottonwood communities. This community is very important for wildlife habitat because of the diverse vegetation, food and shelter offered. Wa ter Qua 1 ity The South Platte River's water quality is good beginning at Chatfield but deteriorates further downstream as sewage effluent and urban runoff enter the river. Refer to Section VI, Water Quality, for more detailed information. Location: Reach 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8