At a Glance
A natural area in the center of Fort Collins will become a more appealing, functional, urban open space in which ecological systems will be regenerated along the Poudre River.
Project Description
After removing invasive Siberian elm trees on their 26-acre natural area, the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program asked Biohabitats to develop a restoration concept to widen the riparian zone along the adjacent Cache La Poudre River and revegetate the area with native plants.
The site had been subjected to filling and armoring along the stream with rock and construction rubble, leaving steep, unsightly banks with a narrow riparian bench. In addition, a stormwater outfall fills in part of the riparian floodplain.
Biohabitats’ restoration design widened the bench by grading back the steep banks, removing rubble, relocating the outfall further from the stream, and planting appropriate native plants in restored lower scrub/shrub, riparian woodland, and upland areas. The design included measured elevations and color renderings of plan and cross section views.
In 2017-2018, Biohabitats oversaw construction of the project which included the removal of approximately 600 tons of rubble, riverbank grading, seeding and matting, boulder toe installation, and revegetation with native riparian trees and shrubs.