West Littleton trail users should get used to seeing a lot of activity around the South Platte River as work to narrow the channel is scheduled to begin later this month.
Phase 2 and Phase 3 of a major river enhancement will narrow the river by almost 80 feet in some areas along a 2.25-mile stretch of the South Platte that traditionally sees low levels that can’t support fish and vegetation.
Phase 2 should be complete by early December with Phase 3 running into the spring.
The stretch under construction will range from approximately C-470 northward past Mineral Avenue to Reynolds Landing Park.
“The river is currently a giant lake with a little bit of water flowing in and out,” said Skot Latona, supervisor of South Platte Park.
The work will include adding pool areas and increasing the depth to 5 to 6 feet in some areas. Now, the river is sometimes only a few inches deep.
People using the paths of the Mary Carter Greenway Trail that runs along the river could experience some delays and will see the construction. Traffic disruptions should be minimal.
Latona said people will see equipment in the river channel, but he hopes the project will be finished before the water rises in the late spring.
The total cost of all three phases is just over $4 million. Phase 1 cost $880,000 and was a small project that demonstrated what would be done in the corridor in a half-mile stretch. Phase 2 will cost $1.1 million and Phase 3 $2.55 million, according to Laura Kroeger, assistant manager of the design construction and maintenance program for Urban Drainage.
Urban Drainage is a partner in funding the project, along with South Suburban Parks and Recreation District, the cities of Littleton, Englewood and Sheridan and Arapahoe County Open Space.
The water level of the river has been low since Chatfield Reservoir was built, said Littleton city councilwoman Debbie Brinkman.
Littleton is also hoping to make the river more of an amenity for the residents and business owners who live nearby.
“We know we’ll have a beautiful end,” Brinkman said.
Fellow councilman Randy Stein said he rides his bike along the path near the river and he’ll be glad to see more trees in the area once it’s grown out and fishing returns to the area. He’s also glad to to see all the different groups coming together to help fund the project.
“We’re all pitching in to try and turn this beautiful jewel into something more integrated,” he said.
Urban Drainage, which maintains the river to control flooding, collects a mill levy to support work on the South Platte. The project will help limit short-term projects in the future.
“We really like natural processes,” Kroeger said. “It limits long-term maintenance.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joe_vacc
