From Barrier to Bridge: Reimagining Monument Creek as a Connected, Resilient, and Recreational Urban Waterway
Walter C. Pennington, PE, CFM
Merrick & Company
Denver, CO
Monument Creek has long served as an ecological and cultural backbone of Colorado Springs, yet decades of channelization, disconnected floodplains, and limited public access diminished its natural function and community value. Guided by the Fountain Creek Watershed Vision & Implementation Plan, the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities, and Pikes Peak Waterways are implementing a transformative first-phase restoration at America the Beautiful (ATB) Park to restore river function, reconnect people to the creek, and catalyze downtown revitalization.
The project removes long-standing physical and perceptual barriers to reestablish hydraulic connectivity, expand floodplain function, and enable safe and inviting access to the creek system. Enhanced natural channel design introduces meandering low-flow pathways, terraces, and diverse river habitats, while replacing hazardous drop structures with a series of lower-hazard riffles and pools that improve safety, expand in‑creek recreational opportunities, and significantly enhance fish passage for native species such as flathead chub, longnose dace, and white sucker.
The restored creek corridor incorporates stormwater quality treatment features, riparian revegetation, and habitat structures that collectively bolster ecological resiliency and water quality. At the same time, new ADA‑accessible creek access points, trail linkages, and pedestrian bridges strengthen multimodal connectivity between ATB Park, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, downtown, and the regional greenway network—transforming the corridor into a welcoming, activated public destination.
By reconnecting Monument Creek with its floodplain, surrounding neighborhoods, and the broader public realm, the project not only restores ecological integrity but also supports long-term economic development and placemaking. Opportunities for public‑private partnerships, redevelopment, and enhanced event programming position the corridor as a catalyst for urban vibrancy.
This presentation highlights the collaborative multi-agency framework, technical analyses, natural channel design innovations, and community‑oriented strategies that are reshaping Monument Creek from a constrained urban barrier into a resilient, recreational, and culturally connected waterway at the heart of Colorado Springs.
About Walter C. Pennington, PE, CFM
Walter Pennington is the Surface Water Practice Leader at Merrick & Company, where he leverages his extensive technical expertise in river and stream ecosystems, stream restoration, river recreation, storm drainage, floodplain management, and hydrology and hydraulics. Walter holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in water resources from Texas A&M University. Throughout his career, Walter has managed high-profile projects in multiple states. Walter is a devoted father of three and resides in Broomfield, Colorado. He enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including golfing, camping, hunting, fishing, and participating in competitive sports.
LinkedIn Profile Link