Building a Safer Boulder: Flood Mitigation Highlights

Partnering with the community, we tackled the challenges of flood mitigation head-on, weaving innovation, trust and shared success into our work.

Gregory Canyon Creek: A Milestone of Safety

The Gregory Canyon Creek Flood Mitigation Project is about more than reducing impacts from flooding—it’s about working together to protect neighborhoods and build a safer, stronger community.

A key aspect of this phase of the project has been engaging with property owners who will be directly impacted by project construction. Through one-on-one conversations, meetings, office hours and consistent outreach, we’ve continued to partner on specific concerns and project outcomes. These candid discussions have built trust and provided insights into the community’s priorities.

One thread has been clear: Boulder community members deeply value their homes and the surrounding environment. While there are mixed thoughts in the community about the best way to move the project forward, we are working hard to balance different perspectives in our approach to the project’s design.

The Gregory Canyon Creek Flood Mitigation Project is aimed at protecting what matters most: our families, our neighborhoods and our way of life. Together, we’re addressing challenges with solutions that support Boulder’s strength and resilience.

South Boulder Creek: Building Bridges of Trust

The South Boulder Creek Flood Mitigation Project is a critical piece of the city’s comprehensive flood management strategy. This project is more than a technical solution; it is a commitment to addressing one of Boulder’s most significant flood risks while reflecting the values of our community.

Throughout 2024, progress on the project was steady and purposeful. Key developments included the completion of a 60% design plan and report, land use approvals, and approval of regulatory wetland mapping. The project will stop uncontrolled flood flows from overtopping US36 and pouring into residential neighborhoods and will create a water detention area upstream of US36 that will capture flood waters and safely discharge them to natural drainageways. The project will also restore and enhance 119 acres of Open Space land and restore historic floodplain natural areas and patterns.

Collaboration with permitting agencies, CU, CDOT and others continues to be essential, ensuring each component of the project is planned and aligned with the broader community goals. The 90% design plan is underway, and construction is slated to begin in mid-2025, marking a significant step in this transformative project.

In celebrating these technical and collaborative milestones, we honor a collective commitment to creating a safer, more resilient Boulder—one equipped to withstand future challenges.

Upper Goose Creek: Progress Through Connection

Efforts on this project in 2024 centered on addressing community concerns about potential construction disruptions to private property, emphasizing open communication and collaboration. We actively listened to community feedback and explored alternative options as part of our commitment to finding the best possible way forward.

This partnership was an opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to the community. Through meaningful conversations, office hours, clear updates and transparent communication, we worked to build relationships, directly address community concerns, and build collective understanding around the complexities of the project. The outcome? A shared understanding that flood mitigation is not just about infrastructure, but about the people it protects and the ecosystems it seeks to preserve.

Advancing Stormwater Infrastructure

In 2024, Boulder’s Storm Sewer Condition Assessment (SSCA) program made significant progress in enhancing the city's stormwater infrastructure. Since its start, the program has inspected and cleaned over 211,000 feet of storm pipe and assessed and maintained more than 1,000 manholes and 1,600 inlets.

A key achievement was stormwater improvements at 15th & Walnut, which upsized deteriorating storm pipes, and installed a rain garden in alignment with the city’s support of green infrastructure. The program also piloted storm sewer slip-lining as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional open trench repairs. By year end, the SSCA had completed 4.5 of its 10 planned phases, ahead of schedule, with a $970,000 investment in 2024.

Looking ahead, the program’s proactive maintenance and innovative solutions will ensure a reliable stormwater system. By focusing on regular assessments, green infrastructure, and cost-effective technologies, the program supports a reliable and sustainable stormwater system.

A Legacy of Resilience

As we look back on 2024, our efforts have been about more than just flood mitigation—they’ve been about fostering resilience and represent our commitment to Boulder’s future.

In 2025, we will build upon this foundation, continuing to engage with the community, embrace innovation and fortify our city against the challenges ahead.

Together, we are shaping a safer, more resilient Boulder.