Here’s some need-to-know information for the week:

City updates community and Water Resources Advisory Board on Upper Goose/Two Mile Canyon Creek Flood Mitigation Project

On Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, staff briefed the Water Resources Advisory Board on the Upper Goose Creek and Twomile Canyon Creek Flood Mitigation Project status.

The approved 2023 mitigation plan originally recommended an open channel approach to flood mitigation in the Goose Creek area known as “Reach 6.” In response to community feedback, staff further evaluated a piped alternative under Edgewood Drive to explore whether disturbance to this reach of creek could be eliminated.

Although the hope was to avoid creek disturbance based on community concerns about environmental and wildlife impacts, this further investigation determined that a piped alternative could not intercept and divert all flood water under the road, and disturbance to the Reach 6 creek channel would occur under either scenario. Additionally, a piped approach would involve extensive construction disturbance to about a half mile of Edgewood Drive, including front yards on both sides of the street and would cost approximately five times more than an open channel approach.

Given this information, the only remaining viable concept for design is an open channel on Reach 6. Staff will continue to partner with the community and strive to minimize impacts as we enter the design phase in 2025 and 2026.

More information about the project can be found on the city’s website.

For questions, please email Engineering Project Manager Brandon Coleman at colemanb@bouldercolorado.gov.

State to Begin Coal Mine Mitigation Work in Marshall Mesa Trailhead Area

Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) has closed the Marshall Mesa Trailhead to support the State of Colorado’s coal mine mitigation work that has begun at this site. After the state completes its mine remediation work, OSMP will conduct extensive trailhead improvements. OSMP anticipates the trailhead will be closed for one year.

State coal mine mitigation work will start with the mobilization of equipment, installation of erosion control, and perimeter fencing. Significant earth-moving activities will likely begin in November. State mitigation work in the Marshall Mesa area is expected to take four months to complete.

OSMP trailhead renovations – focused on improving visitor safety and outdoor experiences in the area – will occur afterward and are expected to take about eight months. Learn more about coal mine mitigation work in a recent collaborative state-city press release, issued by the state last week.

Most trails around the Marshall Mesa Trailhead will be open during the coal mine mitigation work and the trailhead improvement efforts. A newly constructed interim trail – built with Boulder Mountainbike Alliance volunteers – has been installed to provide access for visitors arriving by bike and from the Colorado Department of Transportation parking lot at the intersection of Highway 93 and Marshall Road. Visit the Marshall Mesa project webpage to learn more about trailhead improvements, read more about trail access and view maps that show open trails during the upcoming trailhead closure.

For more information, please contact Jeff Haley, OSMP’s deputy director of visitor experience and infrastructure, at haleyj@bouldercolorado.gov.

Regards,

Nuria

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