Two years after comprehensive tree care work began along the 71-mile High Line Canal, a one-mile stretch in Littleton is seeing an increase in care of unhealthy trees to pave way for stormwater management.

In Littleton, a one-mile stretch of the historic Canal is transitioning into green infrastructure for stormwater management as one of the first projects to bring new life and a renewed utility to the Canal as part of the Stormwater Transformation and Enhancement Program (STEP), a program led by the High Line Canal Conservancy (Conservancy). The transition of this section of Canal has initiated increased tree trimming and removal to maintain a safe trail and healthy tree canopy as part of the Canal-wide Tree Canopy Care Project, paving way for a new and healthier generation of vegetation and trees.

“Through the collaboration of key partners and a land developer who loves the Canal, we were able to identify an opportunity to use the Canal to address stormwater concerns while bringing the benefits of stormwater in the Canal to the region.” – Cathy McCague, High Line Canal Conservancy STEP Program Manager

The City of Littleton is partnering with the land developer of a small three-homesite parcel along the Canal to allow a new flow of stormwater into the channel at Windermere Street. Stormwater – precipitation that runs off impervious surfaces and eventually flows into our waterways – will outfall into the Canal and benefit from the Canal’s natural filtration until it flows back into the waterway at Lee Gulch cleaner than when it entered. Residents and trail users have seen an increase in tree maintenance in this area in preparation for the stormwater management project. Maintenance crews have trimmed and removed all priority trees, which have all been identified as dead or dying in the 2016 tree inventory – an inventory of the nearly 24,000 mature trees along the 71-mile corridor.

 “The City of Littleton is excited to be among one of the first municipalities to transform the Canal for stormwater management. This project has given us the opportunity to be more involved in the maintenance and management of this treasured resource.” – Keith Reester, City of Littleton Public Works

As a part of this project, the City of Littleton will take over maintenance and management responsibilities (from Denver Water) of the Canal from Windermere Street to Lee Gulch. This project is supported by the Conservancy as part of STEP to advance the Canal’s transition to green stormwater infrastructure and add a new source of water to keep the Canal vibrant. STEP, led by the Conservancy in partnership with Denver Water, Mile High Flood District and jurisdictional partners, is a project to manage stormwater in the Canal channel, holding it there briefly (less the 72 hours), to improve water quality and flood mitigation while providing additional benefits such as more water for vegetation along the greenway and improved air quality.

For questions or concerns regarding the Canal in this section, please contact:

Construction and trail work – Littleton Public Works: 303-795-3863
Tree Canopy Care – The High Line Canal Conservancy: hello@highlinecanal.org

Continued support and input from the citizens of the region is vital. Here are ways to get involved: