HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOUDRE RIVER WHITEWATER PARK (FORMERLY POUDRE RIVER DOWNTOWN PARK) - PDP - PDP160039 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT1
Poudre River Whitewater Park Ecological Characterization Study:
Addendum for 101 East Vine Drive (the Krush property)
January 26, 2017
This addendum is a supplement to Biohabitats’ Ecological Characterization Study (ECS)
of the Poudre River Whitewater Park (Park) dated November 21, 2016. A new parcel at
101 East Vine Drive (the Krush property) was recently acquired and will be added to the
original eleven (11) acres. The purpose of this addendum is to provide updated
information related to the ECS for the new parcel.
On January 19, 2017, Biohabitats visited the Krush property on Vine Drive (see location
in attached figure). We surveyed the site on foot and took photographs. We also
updated and/or verified existing information on topography, geology, and soils using
GIS. Physical and ecological descriptions of the Krush property are provided below, and
should be considered in the context of the larger property as described in the November
2016 ECS.
Topography: The position of the Krush property increases the maximum elevation of
the Park from 4958 ft a.s.l. in the northwest corner of the property to 4965 ft, in the
northwest corner of the updated property. Overall, the Krush property is fairly level.
Geology: The geology of the Krush property is the same as the remainder of the Park
project area. It is characterized as Post-Piney Creek Alluvium, which consists of dark
gray, sandy to gravelly alluvium underlain by the Pierre Shale. The depth to bedrock is
estimated to be 10-15 ft.
Soils: Both of the soils on the Krush property are found elsewhere on the Park property
and are:
Table Mountain loam, 0-1% slope. This soil type covers most of the Krush property in
its northern portion.
Paoli fine sandy loam, 0-1% slope. This soil type is in the southwest corner of the
Krush property.
Water Resources: There is no surface water on the Krush property. The southern
boundary of the property abuts a retaining wall that is continuous with the Coy Ditch
diversion. The retaining wall is at the top of bank of the Poudre River (Photos A1 and
A2).
Views From and Within the Site: Photos A1 and A2 show views from the property
adjacent to the Poudre River. Photos A3 and A4 show the interior of the Krush property
from the north and south, respectively.
1732 Wazee Street, Suite 209
Denver, CO 80202
303 477-0660 303 477-4648 fax
www.biohabitats.com
2 January 26, 2017
Plant Communities and Habitat: The Krush property is developed and provides little
natural plant community or wildlife habitat value. Most of the Krush area is bare ground
(Photo A3) or contains structures including a residence and numerous outbuildings (see
attached figure). Trees are largely decadent and include the native species plains
cottonwood (Populus deltoides), box-elder (Acer negundo), and Ponderosa pine (Pinus
ponderosa). Non-native species include Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) and crack willow
(Salix fragilis). Herbaceous species around the fringe of the property are dominated by
smooth brome (Bromus inermis).
Conclusion: The addition of the Krush property to the Poudre River Whitewater Park
does not alter the ecological character of the Park property. The additional parcel is
offers an opportunity for significant improvement of a developed space to restored
public open space, including amenities and a native ecosystem.
Photo A4. View to the north from the southeast
corner of the Krush property.
Photo A1. View to the east from the southern
boundary of the Krush property.
Photo A2. View to the west from the southern
boundary of the Krush property.
Photo A3. View to the south from the approximate
midpoint of the property, eastern side.
Cache la Poudre
River
E V I N E D R
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS,
USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community
LEGEND
Krush property
0 25 50 100 Feet
° Poudre River Downtown Project
1Property inch = 50 feet Krush