February 08, 2024 | NEWS | By Grace Ersfeld O’brien
The Monument Creek Stabilization Project is a months-long endeavor seeking to repair the wastewater infrastructure lying beneath the creek bed. Currently, more wastewater than usual is being directed down the wastewater pipe running along the creek. Environmental Science professor Sarah Schanz, specializing in rivers and water systems, says there are “several junctions of wastewater pipes at the Mesa Road location; just downstream, the pipes historically run right under the sloped wall there. As the creek bends, it focuses its energy along the wall. It’s recently been eroding close enough to the wastewater pipe that, if it erodes a bit more, and these old pipes fracture, a hole could open, and the wastewater could be dumped into the creek.”
The main goal of the project is to build a buffer system for the creek through the installation of boulder drop structures, low-level submerged rock structures and bank reinforcement – all of which prevent erosion from occurring so close to the wastewater interceptor. Schanz notes that “The general goal with erosion is to lower the slope. Like with skateboarding: if you’re on a steep slope, you’re following that slope with no control; if you lower the slope, there’s more control. Rivers are the same way: a higher slope sends the water careening down, eroding. Lowering the slope with these structures decreases the erosion on the banks.”
The opportunity to improve accessibility of the trail is being capitalized upon by Colorado Springs Utilities, as the team seeks to improve the quality of area trails in collaboration with the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. Jennifer Jordan of Colorado Springs Utilities explained that “(They’re) installing a pedestrian access ramp to the creek to provide safe access to the channel corridor for recreational activities––a ramp similar to the one at the Uintah Street bridge. Putting in a pedestrian underpass at Mesa Road will also improve public safety along the east trail, which is possible through generous support ($500,000) from Colorado Springs City Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.”
The urban system in which it exists, as well as the history of the area, present limitations to the project. In a typical natural system, Schanz says that rivers create “meander loops,” which prevent so much erosion from happening. Yet, within our city “we’re constrained by the urban area, as well as by the historic wall General Palmer built, leaving installing these structures as the only real option,” Jordan explains. “We coordinated with the City and State Historic Preservation Office to ensure that we adhered to Palmer Trust deed restrictions and our work didn’t impact the integrity of those historic components along the creek channel.”
The wall along this section of the creek was built during the great Depression as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) and was installed to control flooding along Monument Creek.
While the project is necessary for conservation of a healthy creek habitat, there are risk factors involved. Schanz weighed in on the project’s potential drawbacks. “Immediately during project implementation, a lot of the worry stemmed from erosion along paths and roads that had to be built for the vehicles –– they tend to put in low fabric fences or these twine hay bale cylinders to trap dirt and sediment when we have storms, so not as much of it goes into the stream, which would be damaging to the habitat there… in the media I think that’s mostly what they’re talking about.” Jordan adds, “we are working to restore native vegetation to the area following the project’s completion, so as little disruption to the wetland ecosystem as possible is made.”
Royce Hinojosa ’26, remarks that “it doesn’t seem like the project and the purpose behind it has been made super clear to community members, so largely, Colorado College students seem confused about what’s going on.”
Hinojosa explained, “While I think on one hand the project has environmental consequences right now, it can’t be perfect in its execution, and the long-term payout is worth it.”
Jeremy Jarecki ‘26, learned about the project from a representative from the Fountain Creek Watershed, who informed her about the politics surrounding the Creek. “She taught me about the dangers of rising erosion rates, the growing inequities in recreational open spaces, and the onslaught of poor water quality.”
Jarecki is putting together a team of students to participate in the Great American Cleanup, a city-wide event set to take place Saturday, April 27. She’s looking to include students from both CC and the Air Force Academy who are excited to clean up the space, have good conversations, and spend some time in nature.
For those interested in this kind of project, Jarecki is reachable by email at J_Jarecki@coloradocollege.edu.