About
Introduction
The City of Colorado Springs begins work this summer on the Barnes Water Quality & Sand Creek Flood Control Ponds Project. To be built simultaneously, these adjacent stormwater projects are located along the planned Sand Creek corridor in northeastern Colorado Springs.
The Barnes Water Quality location is at Barnes Road just north of the site of the future Norman “Bulldog” Coleman Park. The Pond location is along Sand Creek south of the Rocky Mountain Vibes baseball stadium. While this project will ultimately benefit Coleman Park, they do not signify the start of the future park project, but prepares the creek to work with the future park site design. (See Coleman Park Update below)
Project Details and Benefits
These two projects represent Phases 1 and 2 of improvements along Sand Creek based on funding. Two projects will be built in succession for flood control and stormwater infrastructure improvements.
Future projects include:
Phase 3 – Additional improvements along the Sand Creek channel are anticipated for late 2026
Phase 4 – Construction of the future Coleman Park site (start date to be determined)
Project Funding
This project is funded through the City of Colorado Springs Storm Water Enterprise (SWENT) and the Inter-governmental Agreement signed April 28, 2016, between the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities and the Pueblo County addressing storm water system and water quality improvements. The project cost is estimated at approximately $2.78 million.
*Coleman Park Update
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department (PRCS) is currently working in coordination with Stormwater Enterprise on the design and implementation of the large Pond and Sand Creek channel improvements. Working with Stormwater is a first step in narrowing down the location of the Sand Creek Trail and pedestrian bridge.
The PRCS Department staff is working on the path forward with Coleman Park. Any changes to the current plan will be brought back to the community for final review before going before the Parks Advisory Board for approval. Park staff will work to develop a timeline for implementation as funding is identified.
Anyone who previously signed up for Coleman Park email updates will automatically be subscribed to receive these Barnes Water Quality & Sand Creek Flood Control Pond updates.
We will continue to update residents through the Coleman Park email subscriber list and on the project webpage with new information as it develops.
If you are not already on our email list, sign up on the project page.
*Coleman Park is managed by City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services: (719) 385-5940. For more info visit: coloradosprings.gov/parks
Project Details
Construction Impacts
As a result of the stormwater pond project, which will take place over the next two years, the public will see activity and hauling operations on the west side of the Coleman Park site.
Approximately 30,000 yards of dirt material removed from the Barnes project site will be exported and moved to the property along Sand Creek near the site of the future Coleman Park. During the hauling operations, the project team will mitigate dust with water spray operations. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services staff will continue to monitor the site throughout this work.
The overall schedule for the projects is weather and materials dependent.
Barnes Water Quality
This project is located along Sand Creek near the Rocky Mountain Vibes Baseball Stadium and future Coleman Park* site. The pond is not currently functioning properly and is not aesthetically pleasing. The project will improve water quality from parking lot runoff and will treat water not currently being treated. Two outfalls (Barnes and Tutt) will be constructed that will tie into a trickle channel and eventually into the Sand Creek Pond. Upon completion of the construction work, the area will be seeded, and plantings installed.
Barnes Water Quality Schedule:
- Design: Completed spring 2024
- Contractor bidding: Spring 2024
- Selected Contractor: Wildcat Construction
- Construction start: July 2024
- Anticipated construction completion: Late 2024
(weather and resources dependent)
Rendering shows a zoomed in view of the site of the Barnes Water Quality & Sand Creek Flood Control Pond Project
Sand Creek Flood Control Pond
There will be both environmental and community benefits from the project once completed. On the east side of the pond, the Barnes Water Quality project will create wetlands with a variety of vegetation species benefitting the creek, habitat support, public access to the water, and connection of a walking trail around the pond.
Other public amenities include steppingstones for foot access to one of the raised islands within the pond. The existing social trail around the Sand Creek Pond will be closed while the new trail connecting to the Sand Creek Trail is being constructed.
Upon completion, the trail will be improved and reopened and will connect around the entirety of the pond for public use. This project lays the foundation for future trails and connections to Coleman Park.
Pond Schedule:
- Design: Spring 2024
- Contractor bidding: Late summer – fall 2024
- Construction start: Late 2024
- Anticipated construction completion: Mid- to late-2025
(weather and resources dependent)
Rendering shows the cross section of the environmental and public access improvements at the site of the Barnes Water Quality & Sand Creek Flood Control Pond Project.
Construction Updates
Construction Update - October 2024
Progress continues on the Barnes Water Quality and Sand Creek Flood Control Pond project.
One of the biggest achievements has been the installation of the new storm pipe along the Colorado Springs Vibes parking. This new storm system, being installed on the south side of the parking lot, will play a crucial role in managing water flow in the area, trapping dirt and debris from stormwater before it flows into the main pond, which helps keep our waters clean. Currently, crews are making steady progress on the concrete structures within the pond itself.
Looking ahead, the project is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. This project represents an important investment in our community's infrastructure, helping to protect our neighborhoods and improve our local water quality for years to come.
