Pueblo Channel Project at 13th Street

Project Details

  • Bank ID Number: PC053
  • Project Channel Length 2,600 feet
  • Estimated Project Cost: $2.6 Million
  • Completion: Spring 2021
The image shows a map with marked locations for a fountain and a project near a river, alongside major roads and intersections.
Location of 13th Street Pueblo Channel project.
A serene riverbank scene with autumn foliage and buildings in the background under a clear sky.
View of 13th Street Pueblo Channel before completion.
The image details a project in Pueblo, CO, focusing on the restoration of the 13th Street channel on Fountain Creek, completed June 2021.
13th Street Pueblo Channel summary poster.
A scenic view of a river winding through a landscape of trees and grasses, with urban buildings in the background and a blue sky.
View of 13th Street Pueblo Channel during project development
A tranquil riverside scene with sandy banks, sparse vegetation, and slight water flow under a bright sky.
View of 13th Street Pueblo Channel
A sandy, dry riverbank curves beside a narrow waterway, with urban buildings in the background under a cloudy sky.
View of 13th Street Pueblo Channel after completion.
The image shows a map with marked locations for a fountain and a project near a river, alongside major roads and intersections.
A serene riverbank scene with autumn foliage and buildings in the background under a clear sky.
The image details a project in Pueblo, CO, focusing on the restoration of the 13th Street channel on Fountain Creek, completed June 2021.
A scenic view of a river winding through a landscape of trees and grasses, with urban buildings in the background and a blue sky.
A tranquil riverside scene with sandy banks, sparse vegetation, and slight water flow under a bright sky.
A sandy, dry riverbank curves beside a narrow waterway, with urban buildings in the background under a cloudy sky.

Project Summary

The Pueblo Channel Project at 13th Street restored approximately 2,600 feet of Fountain Creek adjacent to downtown Pueblo. Years of upstream sediment loading caused this reach to become over-widened and unstable, leading to significant bank erosion and the loss of valuable riparian vegetation.

To improve long-term channel stability, the Fountain Creek Watershed District realigned the channel, created a more stable meander pattern, stabilized streambanks with riprap, and restored native vegetation. Completed in Spring 2021, the project helps reduce erosion, improve riparian habitat, and protect nearby infrastructure, including the 8th Street Bridge.

Why this project?

Severe erosion along the outside bend upstream of the 8th Street Bridge threatened the stability of the creek and nearby infrastructure. As streambanks eroded, native vegetation was lost, increasing sediment entering Fountain Creek and making the channel more vulnerable during high flows.

By restoring a more natural channel alignment, stabilizing streambanks, and reestablishing native vegetation, the project improves flood resilience, reduces erosion, and supports a healthier, more stable creek corridor through downtown Pueblo.