The Upper Montclair Basin measures nearly six square miles, stretching from Fairmount Cemetery to City Park. The basin is fairly flat and prone to flooding at certain low points. Without an open waterway, the current stormwater drainage system needs to be improved in some key areas; localized flooding has been a problem in this area for decades. This basin has been identified as a priority basin for not only storm drainage improvements, but also water quality improvements. To address the unique challenges of this basin, Mile High Flood District (MHFD) and the City and County of Denver partnered to complete this stormwater systems study, and subsequent concept design process, to identify and recommend key projects that improve local conditions.
Project Status: Study Complete
Study Area
The Upper Montclair Basin stretches southeast from City Park to Fairmount Cemetery. This portion of the basin encompasses many Denver neighborhoods including: South City Park, the southern portion of Park Hill, East Colfax, Congress Park, Hale, Montclair, Crestmoor, Hilltop, and a small portion of Washington Virginia Vale.
Study Goals
- Develop a new approach to stormwater planning in Denver that empowers the community
- Reduce the impact of flooding associated with minor to moderate storm events and improve water quality throughout the basin through implementable solutions
- Think critically and creatively about stormwater resiliency in a built, urban environment
- Develop alternative concepts and solutions that integrate community interests and provide community benefits
- Increase public education and awareness of the community’s role in adopting to flood conditions in the built environment
Located on the map above, the study identifies four improvement areas that can reduce local flooding risk while building upon local assets. These areas were carefully selected through community collaboration and community planning and are designed to create a significant improvement in flooding and water quality.
Projects under design and construction: