Highway 47 Bank Restoration Project
Pueblo Colorado
Project Details
- Bank ID Number: PC109
- Project Channel Length: 3,000 feet
- Total Project Cost: $6.0 million (District: $4.5 million, CDOT: $1.5 million)
- Completion: November 2018
Project Summary
The project reach includes approximately 3,000 feet of Fountain Creek extending upstream from the Highway 47 bridge in Pueblo. The June 2015 flood, with a peak flow of about 18,000 cubic feet per second(cfs), caused a realignment of Fountain Creek. Upstream of the bridge, the creek migrated laterally to the east, creating a sharp turn against the eastern abutment of the bridge. Following the flood, an emergency fix by Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) straightened the channel upstream of the bridge to reduce risk to the bridge. In a straight but unstable state, the stream proceeded to down cut, which proceeded to accelerate bank erosion.
Completed in partnership with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the project objectives included stabilization of Fountain Creek, downstream sediment reduction, riparian aquatic and terrestrial habitat restoration, and scour / erosion protection for the Highway 47 bridge. Riprap protection along the abutments provides scour protection at the bridge. A guide bank upstream of the bridge improves hydraulics through the bridge, reducing scour potential. Realignment of the channel provides a more stable slope and natural planform. Riprap bend protection defends against bank erosion and channel migration. Finally, revegetation provides bank and floodplain stabilization and improves the health of the riparian corridor.