Reviewing 30% Design for SARRP

In late April we received the initial engineering and design work (30%) from WaterVation, a Salida-based river restoration company, for the 1.2 mile reach of the South Arkansas River. This reach starts at County Road 107 on the south side of Salida and runs downstream to the confluence with the Arkansas River. The design recognizes exciting opportunities in this stretch of river, including improving fish habitat, protecting the wildlife corridor, removing berms that inhibit healthy river function, recharging two small wetlands, reconnecting the river to the floodplain in spots and more. We are now meeting with stakeholders and landowners to discuss the design with them to make sure we all agree on their work. We will then introduce the plan to the public and move toward 60% design in mid-summer.