BUCKEYE RD.
17
a braided river with ephemeral flows
understanding the salt river requires an
46TH ST.
24TH ST.
BROADWAY RD. 7TH ST.
1937
CENTRAL AVE.
7TH AVE.
60
2017
a shrinking river bed and a disappearing edge
edge analysis
a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary and historic edge of the salt river and its potential for ecological and communal benefits the salt river edge manifests in three ways
first | the existing edge by looking at the existing edge as a comprehensive system the north side is also included in system. these edge paths are paved multi-use trails for the urban commuter. the paths are linked with the central avenue urban core in anticipation of the lightrail as well as connected with the existing bus framework.
lightrail
unlined canals
accidental wetlands proposed existing
1 mile
second | within the edge
these moments once made up the heart of the Salt River bed. they comprised the ephemeral flows and dry islands that make up a braided river. The steep slopes on either of the bank still exist, enabling views of the vast river bed.
outflows wildlife habitat 1 mile
C E L E B R AT I N G A B R A I D E D R I V E R ephemeral flowlines informed trails system Although the flows from the 1937 river landscape will not return, the river can still be understood reinventing them. By tracing the ephemeral flows that are so unique to this braided river a trail system to experience the values of the river bed can be developed.
1 mile
third | the historic edge
N O RT H E R N G AT E WAY S O U T H E R N G AT E WAY
along the current edge there are two spots where the historic edge of the Salt brushes upon the level canvas of a vacant lot, without a mere suggestion that a river bank used to reside there. these two sites are gateways to the salt river as well as moments to commemorate the Salt River that sweeps across the valley.
1 mile
a m e m o r i a l t o c e l e b r a t e what remains and the value that lies latent within the edge SITE PLAN F I LT R AT I O N A S C I R C U L AT I O N + V I E W P O I N T S
SALT RIVER OVERLOOK
WATER FILTRATION two
one
OUTFALL
RAIN EVENT FLOATING DOCK
OVERBANK TRAIL
SA V I E LT R WS IVE R
OVERBANK EXT.
SUN SET VIEW S RISE SUN S VIEW
FLOOD LOOP RECHARGE LOOP
four
three
BIORETENTION | A PROCESS
CONSTRUCTED WETLAND
embracing stormwater as crucial nourishment to a site has the power to educate the community on low impact strategies as well as bring them closer to the e c o s y s t e m t h a t t h e y l i v e i n . i n n o v a t i v e m e t h o d s re g a rd i n g s t o r m w a t e r e n a b l e d t h e p ro j e c t t o re c i e v e a p l a t i n u m S I T E S c e r t i f i c a t i o n . 1 F I LT R AT I O N
200’ 3 T R E AT M E N T
rain play in the retention basin by adding 3 large pieces of infrastructure a retention basin can be transfor med into a celebratory piece at the edge of the Salt River. just as the braided river has ephemeral flows, Phoenix has ephemeral and extreme rain events. t h re e f l o a t i n g d o c k s a re l a b e l e d 1 0 0 0 ( 3 0 ’ ) , 5 0 0 ( 1 5 ’ ) , a n d 1 0 0 ( 5 ’ ) a c c o rd i n g t h e t o t h e e v e n t t h e y a re m o d e l e d a f t e r.
t o g e t h e r t h e t h re e c re a t e a c e l e b r a t i o n o f r a i n a s a re s o u rc e a n d a s a re c re a t i o n a l e l e m e n t . t h e f l o o d l o o p c o n n e c t s t h e m a l l t o g e t h e r f o r a p ro c e s s i o n o f c e l e b r a t i n g r a i n . t h e re c h a rg e l o o p r u n s t h ro u g h t h e c o n s t r u c t e d w e t l a n d , i n o rd e r t o o b s e r v e t h e r i p a r i a n p l a n t s a n d a n i m a l s .
1000 YEAR FLOOD DOCK
500 YEAR FLOOD DOCK
120’
62’
2 I N F I LT R AT I O N
100 YEAR FLOOD DOCK
80’
R A I N A S R E C R E AT I O N
LDE 461: Fall 2017 Landscape Architecture II
Student: Regan O’Brien Instructor: Paul Coseo