The Waterway Resiliency Program (WATR) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Denver to reshape its waterways through an innovate federal partnership with the Army Corps. In a first of its kind agreement, Denver, the local sponsor, will lead delivery of an incredible program to mitigate flood risk and restore ecosystems. These investments will protect Denver's most vulnerable neighborhoods and unite some of Denver's most exciting new development opportunities – from National Western Center to the River Mile to the Sun Valley Redevelopment and other affordable housing investments. Together, we are shifting the perception of the city's only river from a place to dump and disinvest to one of the most exciting opportunities to deliver Vibrant Denver.
The WATR Program will invest in three waterways: Weir Gulch, South Platte River, and Harvard Gulch.
Weir Gulch Improvements Project
Overview
Work in Weir Gulch will reduce flood risk, restore natural habitat, and increase recreation throughout the area.
News and Updates
Improvements and construction on a portion of Weir Gulch will start later in 2025. For the latest information, visit this page.
More updated information will be provided soon!
South Platte River Improvements Project
Overview
About 6.5 miles of the South Platte River will be restored, reducing flood risk, creating additional recreation opportunities in the area, and improving the ecosystem.
More information on this project coming soon!
Harvard Gulch Improvements Project
Overview
Harvard Gulch improvements will restore and provide flood protection for homes and structures near the waterway.
More information on this project coming soon!
Goals
WATR will leverage regional and federal partnerships to deliver Denver’s One Water Plan vision for the South Platte River, Weir Gulch, and Harvard Gulch by restoring habitat, creating safer communities with added flood protection, and creating more vibrant spaces for plants, wildlife, and people. The program will directly benefit and improve safety in some of Denver’s most under-resourced neighborhoods and advance Denver’s goals for enhanced mobility. The program will also:
- Demonstrate efficient city-led delivery through unique federal partnership
- Reduce flood risk for properties
- Restore and reconnect important river habitats
- Incorporate recreation improvements
Project Area
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Project Partners
This is an unprecedented alignment of preparation, political will, funding, and local and federal partnerships.
Partners include the City and County of Denver, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mile High Flood District, and the Greenway Foundation.
Partnership Details
As part of President Joe Biden’s monumental Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and in partnership with the US. Army Corp of Engineers, this project is committed to nurturing collaborative alliances both locally and regionally. Denver eagerly anticipates the next chapter of our journey and welcomes partnerships that continue to elevate this project and create a lasting impact on our shared values.
Realizing this project is not something that the City and County of Denver can accomplish on its own. As such, in addition to the partnerships listed above, Denver has a memorandum of understanding, or agreement, with the following organizations:
- Barr Lake-Milton Reservoir Watershed Association
- Colorado Water Conservation Board
- Colorado State University, Spur Campus
- Continuum Partners
- Columbia Group LLLP
- Capitol Representatives
- Denver Audubon
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Denver Trout Unlimited
- Denver Water
- East West Partners
- Gates Family Foundation
- The Greenway Foundation
- McWhinney
- Mile High Flood District
- The Nature Conservancy
- Revesco Properties (River Mile developer)
- South Platte River Urban Waters Partnership
- Trammell Crow
- The Trust for Public Land
- ULI Colorado
- University of Denver
- Urban Neighborhoods
- Urban Ventures
- USDA Forest Service
In May 2023, representatives from the City and County of Denver, Adams County, the State of Colorado, and U.S. government gathered to celebrate and sign a historic intergovernmental agreement that will result in a multi-million dollar investment in some of the city’s most vulnerable and under-resourced neighborhoods.
Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Project Partnership Agreement(PDF, 4MB)
News Releases
City Council Approves Historic Agreement on Waterway Restoration — April 24, 2023
USACE Omaha district to partner with city of Denver on $350M waterway restoration, flood mitigation project — April 1, 2022
Hickenlooper, Bennet, Hancock Announce $350 Million for South Platte — March 30, 2022
Ecosystems, justice and development are all tied into Mayor Hancock's push for a South Platte renovation — December 6, 2021
Background
A Feasibility Study began in May 2014 with the final Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released in April 2019. Read the Report.
On July 29, 2019, Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding Generals and 54th U.S. Army Chief of Engineers signed the recommendation plan (called the Chief's Report) to move the project forward and allow it to be eligible for Congressional authorization and appropriation.
USACE Press Release
SPRT Chief Engineers Report
The study is sponsored by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mile High Flood District (MHFD), City and County of Denver (CCD) and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed three public meetings in summer 2018 to present and receive comment on their recommendations for the South Platte River, Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch. The public comment period was open through August 28, 2018.
The City will provide regular updates regarding industry opportunities for this project. The last update was completed Fall 2024.
FALL 2024 UPDATE
Over the course of 2025, the WATR team will remain focused on advancing program planning for long term success. This will include updates to understanding of current project area conditions and continued evaluation of appropriate delivery strategies. This work will be carried out with the existing WATR Team, which includes staff from the City, U.S. Army Corps, and Mile High Flood District and is supported by the Staff Augmentation/Owner Advisor Contract team.
Additionally, the City is partnering with the Mile High Flood District to identify a team to advance design of Weir Gulch Reaches 2, 3 and 6 to 30% design. That procurement process is currently in progress through the Flood District's Project Partners program.
Please see the Fall 2024 presentation below for the most recent update on the program.
Below is a list of presentations from various events. Additionally, you can sign up to receive industry updates.
Resources
Contact Us
For questions, email waterwayresiliency@denvergov.org. For industry updates and questions, please see the Industry Information section of this page.
For inquiries or questions about procurement opportunities related to this project, please contact DOTI Procurement at DOTI.Procurement@denvergov.org.
If you would like to receive future procurement information from the team, please sign up below.
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