Westerly Creek at Montview Boulevard Flood Control Improvements

Challenge

The Lower Westerly Creek at Montview Boulevard in Aurora, Colorado, was a flood hazard that posed significant risks to the community and the environment. During heavy rain events, the degraded creek would overflow and inundate the adjacent properties, including single-family and multi-family residences, parks, and streets. This flooding impaired access to emergency services and disrupted the traffic flow along Montview Boulevard, a major arterial road. The twin box culverts and channel profile were insufficient to convey the 100-year flood flows and did not meet current drainage standards. Due to this consistent threat, redevelopment potential in the area, which is part of the Aurora Cultural Arts District and East Colfax Corridor, was limited.

Solution

The City of Aurora hired SEH for both phases of the project, the study and design phase and the construction phase. Part of SEH's role was to provide construction management and material testing, a vital part of the overall plan to reduce flood risk and enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of the area. This project, supported by a FEMA grant, involved replacing the existing box culvert at Montview Boulevard with a 60-foot-span, twin-bridge structure and repairing the stream channel to withstand the 100-year flood flow.

The design and construction for both stream and infrastructure improvements needed to be completed within an expedited schedule of eight months to meet the federal funding deadline. SEH coordinated with multiple stakeholders, including the City of Aurora, Aurora Water, the City and County of Denver, and the Mile High Flood District, to obtain necessary permits and relocate utilities.

The proposed stabilization improvements for this section of Westerly Creek occurred within Montview Park in the City of Aurora and Westerly Creek Park in the City of Denver. Together, these incorporated approximately 2,300 LF of drainage way improvements, including grouted boulder drop structures, channel meanders, linear wetlands, boulder walls, and channel edging upstream and downstream of the new bridge at Montview Boulevard. Installation of the larger culvert allowed for significantly increased flow capacity, limiting back-ups during intense rain events. These efforts marked the first improvement initiative in the Westerly Creek Village Urban Renewal Plan, setting the foundation for transforming the Montview Boulevard Business Corridor.

This project significantly improved safe access to the Fitzsimons Medical Campus and the Aurora Cultural Arts District, introduced new pedestrian and bike paths to enhance recreational opportunities, and added an attractive gateway to the City of Aurora, creating a welcoming entry point.