DHM
R I V E RS Restoration, Flood Recovery, Recreation
RIVERS THROUGH TIME DHM’S HISTORY OF RIVER PROJECTS ACHIEVING SUCCESS RIVERFRONTS: CHANGE IN PERCEPTION WATERSHED MASTER PLANNING RESILIENCY, RECOVERY AND RESTORATION PARK FLOOD RECOVERY SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION PARTNERSHIPS AND FUNDING
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INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE
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THE FUTURE OF RIVERS
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RIVER RECREATION TRAILS PARKS NATURE BASED PLAY INSTREAM RECREATION WHITEWATER RECREATION
RIVERS THROUGH TIME Rivers and their edge are at the core of human civilization as the source of life and fertility. They provide a diverse source of sustenance, from irrigation and drinking water to transportation and play. But the complicated history of people and their rivers is also a story of change and intervention. From dams and channelization to waste disposal and erosion, the impacts of our interactions cascade down the environmental systems. As technology and infrastructure developed, goods and tourism moved along highways and roads; rivers often became the backstage of industry and its byproducts. Recently however, there has been a push towards recovery, restoration, and resiliency along these corridors. We stand at the forefront of a new relationship between people and their rivers – one that reintegrates them into the core functions of our lives as catalysts for community and connection.
South Platte River Use, 1965
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DHM’S HISTORY OF RIVER PROJECTS Where there is water, there are competing priorities. Our role in river corridor projects is often one of facilitation, balancing the possibilities of development with the social, funding and ecological environments of each community. From DHM’s first river projects on the Mary Carter Greenway along the South Platte River to our recent work at white water parks around the country, our experience is varied and unique. We’ve seen our large scale systems plans grow into singular projects along each corridor stretching down both directions of the Continental Divide. DHM is at the forefront of this trend in re-envisioning our rivers, not just as a conveyance of flows and scientific analysis for hydrology, water quality, sediment transport & geomorphic risk, but as a valued natural resource in how we engage with the rivers around us from multiple diverse perspectives.
Sand Creek Regional Greenway, South Platte River
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DHM DESIGN PROJECTS EMBRACING BODIES OF WATER Rivers Lakes/Reservoirs Ponds Whitewater Oceans
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ACHIEVING SUCCESS Working in collaboration with civil engineers, landscape architects strive not only for functionality, but also connectivity to cultural and ecological systems. Our success along rivers is the outcome of an intensely collaborative process between the project team, the client, many diverse agencies, the community, and non-profit organizations. Multiple objectives are woven throughout the design, planning, and construction processes to achieve success for the myriad of funders, stakeholders and visitors to the site. The landscape architect works with the engineer to envision and implement the redefined floodplain; one that provides access, approachability, and well-being for their communities. As advocates for cultural interaction with natural surroundings, we believe rivers can connect people to their history, their present and their future. Further, we acknowledge the river’s fundamental contribution as a natural resource by promoting and protecting its performance. As such, our projects can take shape through three distinct, though usually harmonized, lenses: recreation, restoration, and floodplain function.
Image Description
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Colorado River Projects With 3 offices located in Colorado, a majority of our work is within the Rocky Mountain Region. Our most notable work includes:
Animas River
Three Springs Confluence Park Animas River Trail
Arkansas River
Pathfinder Regional Park Fremont County River Planning
Blue River
Blue River Trail Breckenridge Riverwalk and Plaza
Bear Creek
Bear Creek Trail
Little Dry Creek Centennial Link Trail
Ralston-Central Park River Restoration
South Platte River Trail Mary Carter Greenway Reynolds Landing Johnson Habitat Park Sun Valley Riverfront Park River Run Trailhead Riverside Downs River Vision Implementation Plan Adams County Open Space Park Elaine T. Valente Open Space Globeville and Valverde Neighborhoods Lee Gulch Trail
Roaring Fork River
St. Vrain Creek
Poudre River Poudre Trail
Purgatoire River Heart of Trinidad Trail
Ralston Creek
Basalt River Park
Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek Restoration
Sand Creek
Sand Creek Trail
Coal Creek
Coal Creek Watershed Master Plan Coal Creek - Reach 8 Stream Design
South Platte River
Second Creek
Second Creek Greenway
Bohn Park Lyons Valley River Park Meadow Park
Uncompahgre River
Uncompaghre Riverway Master Plan
Yampa River
Steamboat Springs River Access
Colorado River Lower Valley Trails
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DHM River Projects in Colorado
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RIVERFRONTS: A CHANGING PERCEPTION As a shift has occurred in river management practices from one of large scale water management schemes, to softer more naturalized conditions, so too has the perception of these flowing water bodies. While in the recent past rivers were considered a liability, riverfronts are now highly valued for their recreation ecological, and water management uses. This change in perception has caused communities to rethink their rivers as cultural assets, changing how they are managed, shaped and utilized. Tourism dollars flow through rivers at the same pace of their prominence; business and residential development stake claims along the banks of this newly valuable property; wildlife and habitat creation support a healthy system that sustains from one generation to the next.
Blue River Trail, Blue River 8
Bear Creek Trails, Bear Creek DHM Design in partnership with the Greenway Team, created a Trails Master Plan for the Town of Morrison for a multiuse trail along Bear Creek adjacent to the historic downtown area. Over $2.5 million was raised to help build the trail along the river. The master plan and construction documents include detailed design for a 10’ wide accessible trail with slope stabilization and riparian restoration along the banks of Bear Creek as well as rest areas, overlooks, and pedestrian bridges. The trail follows the north bank of the creek serving both bicyclists and pedestrians who access local and regional parks, restaurants, shops and neighborhoods. The Morrison Trail section is the first link in the Bear Creek Canyon Trail that will eventually connect with Denver’s metro-wide greenway systems.
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A river is a river, always there, and yet the water flowing through it is never the same water and is never still. It’s always changing and is always on the move. And over time the river itself changes too. It widens and deepens as it rubs and scours, gnaws and kneads, eats and bores its way through the land. - Aidan Chambers
Woody Creek, Colorado 10
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WATERSHED MASTER PLANNING From the mountain top headwaters to the confluences below, watersheds are important water sources, fishing habitats, recreation areas, ecosystems and regional amenities. Watershed planning is essential to identify and prioritize the needs and functions of these important assets. This imperative work requires a team composed of outstanding planners, engineers, watershed scientists, and riparian scientists that are committed to promoting resiliency through community engagement and river restoration projects. The end goal of every watershed master plan effort is to help guide decisions to balance all these elements and create a sustainable future for each corridor.
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Lyons Park Flood Recovery, Lyons
Boulder Creek Restoration, Boulder Creek DHM Design was part of a team that provided planning guidance to improve resiliency along Boulder Creek from the confluence with Fourmile Creek, in Boulder Canyon, to the confluence with the Saint Vrain Creek in the City of Longmont. The plan provides general guidance for stream and ecological restoration, as well as multiple other objectives, such as: identification of floodplain management strategies, transportation improvements at Boulder Creek stream crossings, concurrent recreation and open space access planning, and the development of cost estimates for financial planning.
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RESILIENCY, RECOVERY AND RESTORATION Building resiliency into a landscape means understanding and responding to the trade-off between risk and cost. How much can we afford to build, and how much can we compromise? How do the decisions we make today impact the maintenance and operations of facilities into the future? And what role does climate change play in the flexibility of design solutions as storms get more powerful and shorelines are affected?
These are all questions that need to be built into our design process solutions are responsive, sustainable and adaptive to site specific conditions into the future.
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Roaring Fork River Restoration, Basalt River
Basalt River Restoration, Basalt River Over the course of 2 years, DHM worked with the design team and the Town of Basalt to restore the natural alignment of the Roaring Fork River and establish healthy riparian vegetation that had been previously lost to erosion. Our efforts extended beyond the river’s edge to the restoration of side channels, critical fish spawning habitat, and adjacent wetlands along the north and south banks of the river. Located in the heart of downtown Basalt, the goal of this project was not only to restore the river’s edge and surrounding wetlands, but to more closely integrate the river into the lives of Basalt residents and visitors. We created passive recreation experiences in these areas, allowing visitors to observe and enjoy the wildlife diversity that these ecosystems support. A more active riverfront park and event space is in the planning stage and will be created elements constructed within the floodplain zone will be designed and constructed to withstand and recover from flood events.
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Stormwater Cross Section, Basalt River 17
PARK FLOOD RECOVERY In 2013, Colorado experienced a flood event that devastated numerous parks and even whole park systems along the Front Range. In Lyons, Colorado, we evaluated the extent of the flood damage in relation to pre-flood conditions, including FEMA damage assessment documents, and conducted a robust public engagement process that allowed for the entire community to get involved with flood recovery planning of their parks. The public process was extensive and often sensitive, but in the end, community support for the master plans was achieved because the citizens felt their voices were heard and incorporated into the final plans. Plans for enhancing Bohn Park, Lyons Valley River Park, instream recreation opportunities, trails and recreation opportunities within future FEMA buyout properties were developed to give Lyons a comprehensive look at all their parkland, trails, open space and recreation opportunities.
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Lyons Parks Flood Recovery Planning, St. Vrain River
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Three Springs Stormwater Management, Animas River Drainage infrastructure is an amenity that brings together engineering, ecology and recreation. Here, stormwater is harvested and filtered on the surface to improve water quality, to sustain planting, and to support biodiverse habitat that overall provides a visual and recreational amenity. A naturalized material palette of stone and vegetation stabilizes flood channels and are integrated with stone structures that encourage people to interact with the water. A surface forebay captures sediment reducing contamination of the watercourse.
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The river itself portrays humanity precisely, with its tortuous windings, its accumulation of driftwood, its unsuspected depths, and its crystalline shallows, singing in the Summer sun. Barriers may be built across its path, but they bring only power, as the conquering of an obstacle is always sure to do. - Myrtle Reed
Three Springs Confluence Park, Animas River 21
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SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION As landscape architects, planners and ecologists, we are a critical link between project objectives and the public. We assist with public outreach, craft community perception of the project, and help bring a cohesive vision together. The level of participation varies for each project, but having early involvement in the process paves the way for a successful outcome. Communication with the community must address the needs of the people who will end up using the resource. For most projects, that means actively engaging them to discover how they currently use the site and what changes they might suggest to improve its use. The public process then becomes an opportunity to generate new ideas, discover what’s important to people, promote the resource as an asset, and attempt to align user and manager interests. Through a careful analysis, the team can work with stakeholders and staff to look for trends, develop a list of key issues and organize the feedback into workable solutions.
Johnson Habitat Park, South Platte River 23
PARTNERSHIPS AND FUNDING An important piece of any project is to meet the needs of the stakeholders whose interest in the project can often make or break its success. Meaningful involvement requires proactive communication, readily accessible information, a wide variety of opportunities for comment, and an attitude of responsiveness on the
SOCIAL
Communities Municipalities Foundations River Organizations Recreation Groups
REGULATORY
Funding Agencies Management Districts Federal Programs Environmental Groups Flood Protection Natural Resources Utilities
part of the design team. The priorities along rivers must balance flood conveyance, water quality, wildlife habitat, trails and recreation systems with site-specific needs such as environmental educational facilities, playgrounds, wayfinding and programming. We are able to get these groups involved through workshops, interviews, design charrettes and the free flow of communication throughout the project. Early renderings can help to secure funding, build consensus and communicate progress and the ability to respond to regulatory, construction, management and operational goals can pave the way for longterm success.
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Balancing Multiple Objectives
Johnson-Habitat Park, South Platte River
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RIVER RECREATION Rivers offer a varied range of recreational opportunities such as trails, parks, natural playgrounds, whitewater rafting, and moments of interpretation to help facilitate education. DHM design strives to work with its partners to incorporate these amenities that are best suited to the project. These amenities provide an outlet for active lifestyles and healthy living while at the same time reconnect people with their natural surroundings.
Look! A trickle of water running through some dirt! I’d say our afternoon just got booked solid. - Bill Watterson
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Johnson-Habitat Park, South Platte River
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Reynolds Landing, South Platte River
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TRAILS The concept of developing greenways and trails along rivers has evolved as a key component to the transportation and recreation infrastructure. Trails draw physical lines from cities to their natural assets and back and create healthy connections between people and the environment. Accessibly, safety, materials and maintenance are at the forefront of trail design. It is often a complex process to traverse property lines, balance private and public needs and implement the overall vision for this kind of effort that brings economic and community benefits for generations of residents and visitors alike.
Blue River Trail, Blue River
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Basalt Riverfront Park, Roaring Fork River
PARKS As river corridors begin to host means of circulation for active lifestyles, they too can cater to the more traditional park user. Parks nestled along rivers take advantage of the undeveloped space and provide access to outdoor play for more families. Opportunities for active and passive play are abundant in such settings, where the design must respect the physical elements of each site. The attraction to water is human nature - our job is to harness that energy and engage with users of all ages and abilities.
River Run Trailhead, South Platte River 30
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Restoration and River Access, Clark Fork River
SI TE 1 3 P E RSP EC TI V E CL AR K FO R K R IVER M AY 2016
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NATURE BASED PLAY Along with playgrounds, river settings provide an optimal opportunity to introduce natural playgrounds as a means to reconnect children with nature. In nature playgrounds children can get dirty, use their imaginations, climb, and splash all while improving their cognitive function, creativity, social interaction skills. DHM works towards designing these spaces to facilitate unexpected fun in a safe environment.
Oh, Eeyore, you are wet!� said Piglet, feeling him. Eeyore shook himself, and asked somebody to explain to Piglet what happened when you had been inside a river for quite a long time. - A.A. Milne Johnson-Habitat Park, South Platte River
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Johnson-Habitat Park, South Platte River
INSTREAM RECREATION While historically a water right is created by diverting water from a stream, the public is increasingly seeking means to maintain instream flows for recreation. Instream uses range from rafting and swimming to fishing. Recreational activity instream is dependent on environmental quality of the river and both the level and duration of river flows. Enhancing instream opportunities along the river means improving fish habitat and fishing access, building or rebuilding riparian habitat, while also seeking to establish variant paddler conditions for all levels of users. The inherent conflict between ideal fishing conditions and ideal paddler conditions is what makes instream recreation design both a challenge and an opportunity. These spaces provide accessibility, space for community events, economic advantages and the chance to understand the ecological systems that surround us.
River Run Trailhead, South Platte River
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River Access, Gallatin River
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Basalt River Park, Roaring Fork River
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Riversport Rapids, Oklahoma River Riversport Rapids is located adjacent to the Oklahoma River, includes two channels: one for recreation and one for competition, with a combined-flow, freestyle channel. Water experiences available include rafting and kayaking, flatwater kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, dragon boating, and tubing. In addition, a stage accommodates concerts and events. Where other whitewater venues might lean toward a more natural streambed layout, this facility integrates into the geometric architectural environment of the Boathouse District of Oklahoma City with modern elements and features. This is one of only three of its kind in the US and is a key component of the city’s ongoing downtown economic development effort to revitalize the riverfront, promote health and recreation activities, and attract competitive events.
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Riversport Rapids, Oklahoma River
WHITEWATER RECREATION Whitewater parks contribute to economic development by becoming regional recreational draws that appeal to a myriad of users, capture an atmosphere of athleticism and create community hubs. Some venues might lean toward a more natural streambed layout; others integrate into the architectural environment of their urban settings. The physical environment celebrates the water with moments of activity and repose, with consideration for the large percentage of visitors who come to watch rather than play. In the parks and recreation business, visitor traffic is crucial to a project’s success. Effectively driving that successful visitation comes from a thoughtful design that creates an exceptional and engaging experience.
Riversport Rapids, Oklahoma River 41
Esther Simplot Park, Boise River
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Moose Creek Flat Campground, Gallatin River
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INTERPRETATIVE SIGNAGE
Johnson Habitat Park, South Platte River
Every place has a story. Signs communicate, change behavior, educate, or evoke an emotion in the reader. The experience of place is enhanced when we appreciate and understand features, concepts, themes, and stories of the natural, cultural, managed, and historic environments.
Through interpretive signage we create distinct identity of place, inspire community pride and manage wayfinding.
of rain fell in 3 hours 14 inches
The History of | The South Platte River 1858-Gold found in Cherry Creek
1974-The Greenway Foundation 1965-The flood
2015
Moving forward
The History of | The South Platte River 1858-Gold found in Cherry Creek
1974-The Greenway Foundation 1965-The flood
2015
Moving forward
The History of | The South Platte River 1858-Gold found in Cherry Creek
1974-The Greenway Foundation 1965-The flood
2015
Moving forward
Sun Valley Riverfront Park, South Platte River 45
GO TOGETHER
AIM BETWEEN 6”
BE COURTEOUS
Be Courteous sign only to be used at specified locations. Currently only at River Run Park put-in.
Enameled aluminum cap to match the Mary Carter Greenway Signage and Wayfinding Project 6”
WEAR IT
8” WEAR IT
Each message sign should be 6”x6” when mounted to 8” wide post.
AIM BETWEEN
8” Square steel post to match the Mary Carter Greenway Signage and Wayfinding Project.
GO TOGETHER
WEAR IT
BE COURTEOUS
BE SMART
Blue color to match the Mary Carter Greenway Signage and Wayfinding Project.
4’-8”
PMS 7459 CMYK Color: C 76, M6, Y8, K15 Artwork is 4 color process graphic prints.
*If individual posts are not possible, then an optional single post with all signs stacked is an option.
Taller 6’ post is recommended for this approach. River Safety Signage, South Platte River
DETAILS - Individual Message Signs 8 | SPWG River Safety Signage Program
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Front View
Side View
Optional* Front View
6’
BE SMART
River Run Trailhead Interpretive Signage, South Platte River
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Astoria Hot Springs Park, Snake River
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THE FUTURE OF RIVERS Future water demands will continue to challenge society’s conceptions of a community’s relationship to its rivers. As weather patterns become even less predictable, communities large and small are facing increasing threat of damage from floods and accelerated depletion of river flows. DHM Design works with nature and its natural processes to restore rivers to a state of vitality while also making communities safe and more resilient to extreme weather conditions. As we continue to work with communities to restore, manage, and define their connections to their rivers, our efforts to understand and defend the value of our waterways persists. We recognize the value of working in collaboration with various experts and passionate communities to establish effective watershed planning and flood recovery efforts, so that we can continue our endeavors to prepare communities for a future deeply connected to the rivers in their backyards. We know that rivers have diverse natural, cultural, and recreational values. Our duty is to protect and highlight the individual character of these spaces so that others can too. We recognize the potential of these amenities and facilitate their appropriate development. We remain committed to working with a spirit of collaboration and engagement with community engagement processes to reconnect civilization with one of the earths most precious assets; the river.
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We must begin thinking like a river if we are to leave a legacy of beauty and life for future generations. - David Brower