Reach of Monument Creek that borders the Colorado College campus. North is to right. google.com/maps/@38.8483712,-104.8283321

The Good Idea: Monument Creek                            Phase II, Slowing the Water

This Summer, three Colorado College interns will spend 10 weeks in the field and in the Geospatial lab, measuring stream morphology and flow, gathering data on the riparian ecosystem, and using science and geospatial data to develop a design for environmental restoration of Monument Creek.  The project is Phase II of The Good Idea: Monument Creek, sponsored by Innovation at CC and State of the Rockies. Inspired by the Colorado Springs’ founding principles and Colorado College’s strategic plan, the aim of the project is to create a model framework for the kilometer-long stretch of Monument Creek that forms the western border of campus.

Student interns are:

From R to L: David Sachs, Darryl Filmore, Jonny Norwine,
Will Rundquist, Cyndy Hines, and Christine Siddoway. The
chocolate labs (water experts) are Pearl and Bessie. Photo: Mark Lee

    David Sachs, senior, Interdiscipl. Major

    Will Rundquist, senior, Geology Major

    Darryl Filmore, junior, Comp.Sci. Major

Collaborators/Mentors are :

    Christine Siddoway (Geology Professor)

    Matt Cooney (GIS Technical Director)

    Cyndy Hines  (Program coordinator, Innovation and SOTR), with expertise in stream ecology & hydrology

Interns will gain strong GIS skills, experience in dialog with community stakeholders, and a strong grounding in the fundamentals of Geodesign.  The objective of the summer work is to develop a 3D model design for remediation of the riparian environment along the urban reach of Monument Creek that borders the Colorado College campus. The hope is that the design will provide impetus for joint implementation of measures that will improve streamwater quality, mitigate impacts of floods, aid in education about how riparian environments function/enhance urban environments.  The work is carried out in knowledge of the concerted work / ongoing projects of the Fountain Creek Watershed District; Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services; Colorado Springs Utilities; and Rocky Mountain Field Institute.   Stormwater mitigation and the health of Monument Creek as a part of the Fountain Creek Watershed are an enormous priority for the City of Colorado Springs. 

The geospatial database and 3D Geodesign will be used and refined by a larger cadre of students in Block 8, 2019, when CC’s Introduction to Geodesign course is offered for a third time.  The landscape design models developed in the course will involve conversation and collaboration with community stakeholders, and culminate with models to be shared with campus and city decision makers who have an ability to aid the objective of reintegration of a clean, healthy watercourse into the CC campus and Monument Creek Park.  The project is to be CC’s flagship contribution to Changing our Global Infrastructure, an international geodesign collaboration among academic instutions.

Financial Support is provided by the State of the Rockies Project and Innovation at CC at Colorado College. Thank you!