Big Dry Creek Trail, Summer, John Fielder photograph-5_v2

Big Dry Creek Streambank Restoration Project

 

The City of Westminster is teaming up with the Mile High Flood District to improve Big Dry Creek’s water quality and flood management capabilities, and make it more resilient to intense storm runoff events. Together, we are repairing and stabilizing streambanks from 112th Avenue to Wadsworth Boulevard. This project will address Big Dry Creek’s stream instability, flood management, and maintenance needs. Years of urban runoff has led to steep, unsafe streambanks as shown in the picture below. This degradation is also approaching sewer pipes and trails, which need to be protected from further damage. Mitigating these risks will allow our community to continue safely enjoying activities along the Big Dry Creek for years to come.

This project will address three separate project areas along the Big Dry Creek and the timeline for each area is below.

What’s Happening Now:

In November 2023, work will begin along Big Dry Creek between Wadsworth Boulevard and Westcliff Parkway. To complete our work, we will close the trail spur along the creek north of the Westcliff neighborhood. The detour is expected to last for several months. Please access the Big Dry Creek Trail from Wadsworth Boulevard or Westcliff Parkway rather than Teller Court or W. 98th Avenue. See the map below.

 

Typical project work includes:

  • Site-specific construction activities that rebuild and reestablish existing, neglected, or damaged drainage facilities with structural problems, such as:
  • Local channel grading, stabilization, and replanting
  • Vegetation management
  • Trash and debris cleanup
  • Weed and noxious vegetation control
  • Tree thinning
  • Sediment removal
  • Revegetation
  • Reconstructing or replacing grade control structures, box culverts and retaining walls

 

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Project Map:

 

Project Work Phases:

Wadsworth Boulevard to Westcliff Parkway

Timeline: Construction is scheduled to begin November 2023 and will continue through 2024. Planting new vegetation will continue through 2027.

Detours: We will close the trail spur along the creek north of the Westcliff neighborhood. The detour is expected to last for several months. Please access the Big Dry Creek Trail from Wadsworth Boulevard or Westcliff Parkway rather than Teller Court or W. 98th Avenue. Trail detours will be in effect through spring of 2023.

Project map:

City Park

This project will improve sections of Big Dry Creek between W. 104th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard near City Park and Highlands Creek near W. 104th Avenue. Reconnecting the natural floodplain along the Big Dry and Highlands creeks will result in the following benefits:

  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • A healthier stream
  • Improved flood management
  • Natural beauty
  • More trees
  • Nine new pedestrian bridges

Timeline: Construction starts fall 2023. This project will improve sections of Big Dry Creek between W. 104th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard near City Park and Highlands Creek near W. 104th Avenue.

Detours: Trail detours will be noted once a construction plan is set.

Project map:

 


Sheridan Boulevard to 112th Avenue

The Big Dry Creek will be reconstructed between Sheridan Boulevard and 112th Avenue. The project will include trail extensions and realignments to improve flow and trail access.

Timeline: Construction is expected to begin fall 2023 and will continue through spring 2024.

Detours: Trail detours will be noted once a construction plan is set.


Questions?


Send the project team an email at BDCRestoration@CityofWestminster.usor give us a call at 303-706-3406.