Granite Creek Revitalization
Kristy Everson1*, Chuck Budinger2
1Mandalay Homes, Prescott, Arizona, USA; Kristy@mandalayhomes.com
2ADOT, Prescott, Arizona, USA; CBudinger@azdot.gov
Granite Creek is a major tributary of the Upper Verde River flowing through the center of historic downtown Prescott, AZ. Over the decades of development, encroachment of parking lots, buildings and roads into the creek floodplain has been a primary source of scour, pollution transport, and riparian degradation. Using a variety of restoration and permaculture methods, a group of citizens in cooperation with the City of Prescott intend to implement a plan to restore the segment of Granite Creek through downtown.
The goals of this proposed project are: 1) ecosystem integrity, health and long-term sustainability of Granite Creek and its riparian area, reducing pollution in stormwater prior to discharge and 2) improve public river park for Prescott’s extensive trail and park system. The first goal will be achieved through a combination of upland and in-stream features to promote flora and fauna diversity and to improve water quality and sustainability of stream flow while addressing native plant health. The second goal will be met by constructing attractive and aesthetic features in the stream channel that will enhance the nature experience while walking or biking.
In-stream features will include bio-retention basins with a diversity of grasses and wetland plants; restore a meandering river channel for slower flow rates, and a series of detention basins upstream outside of downtown to reduce flows during flood and rain events. Upland features include “green infrastructure” that allows for downward infiltration and diversion of stormwater flow away from the creek channel. Green infrastructure options such as pervious pavement, bio-retention basins, vegetated swales and landscaped planters and curb-extension bio-retention features along streets and in parking lots.