Pinon Bridge Bank Stabilization Project

Project Details

  • Bank ID Number: PC017
  • Project Channel Length: 1,200 feet
  • Estimated Project Cost: $2.3 Million
  • Completion: Spring 2019
An aerial map showing a river with labels for "Fountain," "Pinon Bridge," and a "Project" area.
Location of Pinon Bridge project.
The image shows a riverbank with a sandy area, some greenery, and a bridge in the background under a clear blue sky.
Pinon Bridge during development.
People are cleaning up litter along a hillside, wearing gloves and safety gear, against a cloudy sky backdrop.
FCWD cleanup at Pinon Bridge.
Fountain Creek
View of Pinon Bridge project.
Aerial view of a winding river through a barren, sparsely vegetated landscape, with distant mountains on the horizon.
Drone footage of Pinon Bridge completed project in June 2025.
Two individuals in safety gear walk along a riverbank with visible tire tracks and rocky terrain under a bright sky.
Aerial footage of Pinon Bridge.
An aerial map showing a river with labels for "Fountain," "Pinon Bridge," and a "Project" area.
The image shows a riverbank with a sandy area, some greenery, and a bridge in the background under a clear blue sky.
People are cleaning up litter along a hillside, wearing gloves and safety gear, against a cloudy sky backdrop.
Fountain Creek
Aerial view of a winding river through a barren, sparsely vegetated landscape, with distant mountains on the horizon.
Two individuals in safety gear walk along a riverbank with visible tire tracks and rocky terrain under a bright sky.

Project Summary

The Piñon Bridge Stabilization Project restored approximately 1,200 feet of Fountain Creek immediately upstream of Piñon Bridge to improve channel stability and reduce erosion. Since the bridge was constructed in 2004 to replace the original bridge lost during the 1999 flood, the creek had gradually widened and shifted, increasing the risk of erosion and directing flood flows toward the bridge.

To improve long-term stream stability, the FCWD realigned the channel to better manage sediment transport through the bridge crossing. The project also constructed a more stable meander pattern, stabilized streambanks, and restored native vegetation to strengthen the creek corridor and improve resilience during future flood events.

Why this project?

Over time, Fountain Creek migrated laterally upstream of Piñon Bridge, creating a sharp bend that increased erosion and placed additional stress on the bridge and surrounding infrastructure. By restoring a more natural channel alignment and stabilizing the streambanks, the project helps protect the bridge, improve sediment transport, and support a healthier, more resilient creek.