If You Build It Will They Come – Promoting Sustainable Aquatic Habitat in an Urbanized Watershed

Water quality is one component of healthy, sustainable aquatic habitat. Variations in the natural flow regime and hydraulic characteristics also provide/produce suitable habitat for many different species. Lack of hydraulic diversity along the South Platte River has resulted in loss of suitable aquatic habitat and biotic diversity throughout the greater Denver area. The Metro Wastewater Reclamation District (the District) and Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. (CDM) have designed habitat improvements in a pilot reach of Segment 15 of the South Platte River. The primary goal of these habitat improvements is to improve/enhance biological diversity in an urbanized watershed. The design incorporates various combinations of high depth and low velocity, areas of shallow depth and high velocity, and protective cover. Affects of these improvements will be monitored for a number of years, and habitat improvements will be designed for future reaches based on the success of these pilot improvements.