FCWD Design Manual 2017

Design Manual Volume 1 - Policies and Procedures, Hydrology, Hydraulics and Revegetation

Design Manual Volume 2 - Stormwater Quality and Best Management Practices

The District was created by Senate Bill 09-141 (SB 09-141), which amended Title 32 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) by adding Article 11.5. The boundaries, governance, and powers and duties of the District are established through this legislation.

The District consists of the counties of El Paso and Pueblo and is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a representative from the cities of Colorado Springs, Fountain, and Pueblo; El Paso and Pueblo counties; small municipalities in El Paso County; the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District; and the FCW Citizens Advisory Group. A Technical Advisory Committee and Citizens Advisory Group provide input to the Board.

As defined in CRS 32-11.5-102 (1), the District has a wide range of responsibilities and is authorized to manage, administer, and fund the capital improvements necessary in the Fountain Creek Watershed and the Watershed Management Area to:

• prevent and mitigate flooding, sedimentation and erosion;
• improve water quality and otherwise address water quality and water quantity issues;
• improve drainage;
• fund the acquisition and protection of open space;
• develop public recreational opportunities, including park, trails and open space; and
• improve wildlife and aquatic habitat and restore, enhance, establish, and preserve wetlands.

The District has land use authority in the 100-year floodplain within El Paso and Pueblo counties, south of the City of Fountain and north of the City of Pueblo (ie, the "corridor"). Outside of the corridor, the District is authorized to be a referral agency to provide input to public bodies on land use applications that may have direct or indirect impacts to the watershed. More specific descriptions of District authority within the watershed are provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions.

The District was created by Senate Bill 09-141 (SB 09-141), which amended Title 32 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) by adding Article 11.5. The boundaries, governance, and powers and duties of the District are established through this legislation.

The District consists of the counties of El Paso and Pueblo and is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a representative from the cities of Colorado Springs, Fountain, and Pueblo; El Paso and Pueblo counties; small municipalities in El Paso County; the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District; and the FCWD Citizens Advisory Group. A Technical Advisory Committee and Citizens Advisory Group provide input to the Board.

As defined in CRS 32-11.5-102 (1), the District has a wide range of responsibilities and is authorized to manage, administer, and fund the capital improvements necessary in the Fountain Creek Waterwshed and the Watershed Management Area to:

• prevent and mitigate flooding, sedimentation and erosion;
• improve water quality and otherwise address water quality and water quantity issues;
• improve drainage;
• fund the acquisition and protection of open space;
• develop public recreational opportunities, including park, trails and open space; and
• improve wildlife and aquatic habitat and restore, enhance, establish, and preserve wetlands.

The District has land use authority in the 100-year floodplain within El Paso and Pueblo counties, south of the City of Fountain and north of the City of Pueblo (ie. the “corridor”). Outside of the corridor the District is authorized to be a referral agency to provide input to public bodies on land use applications that may have direct or indirect impacts to the watershed. More specific descriptions of District authority within the watershed are provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions.

The Fountain Creek Watershed Flood Control and Greenway District Design Manual Volumes 1 and 2 (Manual) provides owners, developers, engineers, applicants, designers and contractors with information necessary to comply with requirements for drainage system and stormwater quality planning, design, and implementation related to stream restoration, necessary to comply with requirements for drainage system and stormwater quality planning, design and implementation related to stream restoration, new development, redevelopment and construction activities. This Manual is intended to guide users in determining which requirements apply and which stormwater quality best management practices (BMPs) are necessary for a given site. The owner/applicant is responsible for ensuring that site plans, designs, and construction activities at a site comply with applicable statutes and ordinances. The Manual should be used in conjunction with other releveant engineering references and best professional judgement. 

The standards set forth in this Manual represent minimum levels of analysis and care to achieve the goals for proper stormwater management and project performance. The owner/applicant must consider whether the standards in the Manual are adequate to achieve the intended results. Alternatives to the requirements stated in the manual may be proposed by the owner/applicant subject to the established process for variances or amendments. The burden of proof that the proposed alternative methods or application are consistent with the objectives lies with the owner/applicant. to the requirements.

 The Manual provides guidance in these areas:

1. Overall stormwater management and design principles and policies.
2.  Requirements for submittals.
3. Floodplain management requirements.
4. Methods of defining and conveying design flows.
5. Design criteria and guidance pertaining to street drainage, inlets, storm sewers, conduit outlet structures, and culverts and bridges.
6. Design criteria and guidance for open channels.
7. Requirements for detention storage to reduce adverse impacts due to increased runoff from development.
8. Methods for preserving and reestablishing vegetation.
9. Methods for estimating reductions in design flows and volumes due to runoff reduction practices. Requirements for the development and implementation of construction-phase erosion and sediment control plans and the use, design and maintenance of construction BMPs.
10. Information on construction inspection and enforcement. 
11. Requirements and procedures for inclusion of permanent stormwater quality BMPs and designs innew developments and redevelopments.
12. Procedures for assessing existing structural controls for retrofitting with water quality features.

The Manual is intended to be used as a reference document for the District, its agents and contractors and spplicants that propose to plan, design and construct improvementsin the watershed that may have direct or indirect impacts on the watershed. The District will require compliance with the Manual for projects completed under its direction and will recommend compliance with the Manual for projects completed within other jurisdictions that are referred to the District for review and comment. 

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