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Rhys Duggan
303.551.7750
rduggan@revescoproperties.com

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a group of people in a body of water. a group of people standing in a river with surfboards.
River Mile Accent Image
River Mile Accent Image

What’s
Good
for the
River

WHAT’S GOOD
FOR THE
RIVER

… Is good for the city

Life for this city started with the South Platte River, and yet for decades we turned our back to it. But that’s changing. The South Platte is now seen as an extraordinary opportunity for recreation and for reconnecting with nature. And following years of research and planning, The River Mile has embarked on a $100 million effort that will reinvigorate this section of the river. Restoring its depth, flow and habitat. Significantly reducing flood risk. And making the river a thriving place for all sorts of native species … including humans.

The fun and
friendly river

When we’ve finished the restoration, the South Platte will invite more people to play, to fish, to paddle, or simply to sit and take a deep breath of nature. Here’s how:

More river access points — paths, stone steps, rocky outcroppings
More river access points — paths, stone steps, rocky outcroppings
More beach access, including ADA
More beach access, including ADA
New lawn spaces and seating areas
New lawn spaces and seating areas
More trees = more shade
More trees = more shade
Healthy habitat = more migratory birds to watch
Healthy habitat = more migratory birds to watch
A new whitewater wave feature that will be more enjoyable to play in and look at
A new whitewater wave feature that will be more enjoyable to play in and look at
Enhanced trails on the west side
Enhanced trails on the west side
An all-new trail on the east side with separate lanes for pedestrians and bikers
An all-new trail on the east side with separate lanes for pedestrians and bikers
Drag Icon Arrows
Before restoration: Poor shoreline conditions, no trail, lots of sand buildup.
After: A clean, healthy, inviting river.

Let it flow

If our research has brought to light one main idea, it’s that to the greatest degree possible, you should let a river do what it wants to do. Rivers want to meander, creating a variety of depths and conditions. Places that run deeper and colder to provide habitat for fish. Other places that run faster and shallower to help aerate the water. Also, rivers don’t like dams, which cause sand to build up and increase the risk of flooding.

This is why renovation work at The River Mile will include dredging six to eight feet of sand, narrowing and deepening the river. It’s also why we’re taking the dam and whitewater area at Confluence Park and relocating and redesigning it, creating a whitewater recreation feature that lets the South Platte naturally flush away excess sand as it gives people more ways to enjoy the river.

Diverse
community

By restoring both in-stream and shoreline habitats, The River Mile will help support a healthy, diverse community of native plants, insects and fish.

The deepened river will allow for a wider variety of fish. Removing excess sand will create areas of rocky river bottom where larval insects can grow and provide an essential food source for native fish species. In addition, the redesigned dam and whitewater feature in The River Mile will allow fish to move up and down the river.

a painting of people fishing in a river.

The South Platte is being re-energized as a thriving habitat for trout, humans and all kinds of living things.

an illustration of a minnow that can be found in the river at The River Mile
Fathead minnow

Pimephales promelas

an illustration of a brown trout that can be found in the river at The River Mile
Brown trout

Salmo trutta

an illustration of a fish that can be found in the river at The River Mile
Creek chub

Semotilus atromaculatus

an illustration of a fish that can be found in the river at The River Mile
Longnose sucker

Catostomus catostomus

an illustration of a fish that can be found in the river at The River Mile
Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

an illustration of a fish that can be found in the river at The River Mile
White sucker

Catostomus commersonii

an illustration of a fish that can be found in the river at The River Mile
Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Swipe to view images
a diagram of a section of a river.
a diagram showing the flow of water in a stream. a diagram showing the flow of water in a stream.

Meanwhile, on the riverbank …

Much of our work to rehabilitate the river isn’t actually in the river. We’re also cultivating shoreline plant communities to include a greater diversity of native and pollinator-friendly plants that can support a wider variety of animals. And enhanced wetland areas will help filter stormwater entering the river from surrounding neighborhoods.

With this holistic restoration plan, river and riverbank become a symbiotic ecosystem. Just like nature intended.

“For over 40 years, the Greenway Foundation mission has been to maximize the environmental and recreational health of the South Platte. For us, The River Mile is a gamechanger.”
RYAN AIDS,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE GREENWAY FOUNDATION

The well-behaved river

When a river floods and damages surrounding property, it’s often the result of poorly designed manmade features, such as dams, that cause buildup of sedimentation and lower the river’s capacity to accommodate higher flows. By removing massive amounts of excess sand and giving the river some room to meander, our restoration plan will not only let this section of the river handle a 100-year flood event, it will allow 50 different surrounding urban parcels to be removed from flood plain designation. (You’re welcome.)

an artist's rendering of a pedestrian bridge over a river.