Pueblo Levee Dredging & Maintenance Project

Project Details

  • Project Channel Length: 8,700 feet
  • Total Project Cost: $5.2 Million
  • Completion: September 2017
A wide view of a dry, grassy area with scattered rocks and distant buildings under a blue sky.
Pueblo Levee before project began.
A scenic view of a riverbank with a path, rocky edges, and a few people walking in a natural, open landscape.
View of Pueblo Levee during project development.
An overgrown landscape featuring concrete structures, graffiti, and tall grasses near a waterway.
View of Pueblo Levee bridge.
A serene river scene with a tree, green grass, and sandy banks under a clear blue sky.
View of Pueblo Levee after completion.
The image shows a sign urging pet owners to pick up after their pets, near a bridge and a river.
Pueblo Levee pet waste unit along Fountain Creek.
A wide view of a dry, grassy area with scattered rocks and distant buildings under a blue sky.
A scenic view of a riverbank with a path, rocky edges, and a few people walking in a natural, open landscape.
An overgrown landscape featuring concrete structures, graffiti, and tall grasses near a waterway.
A serene river scene with a tree, green grass, and sandy banks under a clear blue sky.
The image shows a sign urging pet owners to pick up after their pets, near a bridge and a river.

Project Summary

The Pueblo Levee Dredging & Maintenance Project restored approximately 8,700 feet of Fountain Creek from East 8th Street to its confluence with the Arkansas River. Completed in partnership with the City of Pueblo, the project reduced flood risk by removing accumulated sediment and invasive vegetation that had reduced the creek's capacity to safely convey floodwaters.

To meet maintenance requirements for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' levee system, the project lowered the creek bed by approximately three feet, removed invasive species—including Phragmites, Russian olive, and tamarisk—and removed two abandoned railroad bridge piers that restricted flow. Approximately 127,000 cubic yards of sediment were dredged and hauled offsite, with 55,000 cubic yards repurposed for City of Pueblo projects, including improvements at Lake Minnequa Park and Plaza Verde.

Why This Project?

Over time, sediment buildup and invasive vegetation reduced the capacity of Fountain Creek and increased flood risk for nearby neighborhoods and infrastructure. By restoring channel capacity, maintaining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' levee system, and removing flow restrictions, the project improved flood protection, supported long-term creek maintenance, and enhanced the function of the Fountain Creek corridor.