The stretch of Fountain Creek between the Cities of Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colorado, is highly degraded and in need of restoration and rehabilitation efforts. Matrix prepared a Floodplain Management Opportunities Study to consolidate and expand recommendations from previous studies, evaluate prior project outcomes, identify new improvements with cost estimates, and prioritize potential floodplain management efforts. The Study was completed using the most advanced GIS technologies.
Our team achieved the following:
- Provided a framework for identifying and prioritizing projects along Fountain Creek that can be used in a broad range of stream management contexts
- Gathered data from authoritative sources and created a data repository of all analyses and results for future comparisons
- Harnessed GIS data indicators to identify 221 potential projects, including grade control, bank stabilization, channel realignment, detention, conservation easement and wetland enhancement opportunities, and reconnecting the floodplain to the channel
- Developed a decision matrix tool to rank 18 focus areas and highlighted the six highest-priority projects
- Assigned conceptual cost estimates to projects, both inside and outside the focus areas
- Developed a high-resolution plan and profile for Fountain Creek
- Conducted a GIS-based geomorphic assessment and performed a departure analysis to help inform project needs
- Created a relative elevation model to identify potential areas for reconnecting Fountain Creek to the floodplain
Matrix used the relative elevation model to develop a first-of-its kind visualization tool for project stakeholders and non-engineers. The tool made it possible to easily classify floodplains and terraces that had become disconnected from the channel and design capital projects to restore natural channel function.
