Salt Lake City

Public Utilities

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Rose Park – Jordan River Watershed Project

Project Overview

SLCDPU has constructed an urban runoff water quality improvement facility at 1000 N. and Cornell Street. This facility, known as the Rose Park – Jordan River Watershed Project, collects a significant amount of urban runoff, east, and west of the river, including Redwood Road to North Temple (and other major roads) and residential areas.

Construction occurred in multiple phases beginning in May 2019 and with the final phase anticipated to be complete in Spring 2022.

Phase 2 Construction Updates, updated 08/10/2021

Phase 2 began in Fall 2020 and will finish in Spring 2022. This phase has worked to realign and pave the Jordan River Parkway Trail, install irrigation and sprinklers, and seed and plant, and improve the waterfalls onsite.

  • Jordan River Parkway Trail Re-Opening – August 6, 2021
  • Irrigation and Sprinkler Installation – April 2021 – August 2021
  • Seeding and Planting
    • Weed control has been ongoing.
    • Tree planting and native seeding requires regular watering for successful establishment. Given the challenges faced with the drought, plantings will occur in phases, beginning with trees in Fall 2021.
  • Modifications to cascades and floodplain – May 2021 – Fall 2021
    • Work conducted in 2021 was to address unforeseen challenges with the installation of the waterfalls and directing water drainage to the expanded floodplain. The previously installed channels will be more natural and safer to visitors. Fencing will remain around active work zones until work is complete.

The public will have access to the Rose Park Jordan River Watershed amenities in Spring 2022. The trail has been re-opened – the public may access this portion of the area.

Please observe fencing and signage. New plantings are sensitive to foot traffic and other disturbances.

What do the improvements include?

The Rose Park – Jordan River Watershed Project features many green infrastructure elements designed to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier urban environments to:

Improve the stormwater treatment including:

  • Updated lift station pumps
  • New hydrodynamic separator to remove a number of water pollutants
  • Waterfall cascades to add much needed oxygen to the water
  • Expanded natural riparian area considered to further treat water before it enters the Jordan River

Enhance existing open space area featuring:

  • Storm water treatment demonstration areas featuring green infrastructure best practices
  • Outdoor classroom seating
  • Expanded floodplain to better accommodate large storm events
  • Elevated ADA accessible boardwalk and observation deck
  • New canoe and kayak launch accessible from the east side of the river
  • Realigned Jordan River Parkway trail

For your safety and the safety of construction crews, please respect all signs and closures. 

Comments or questions on the project can be directed to the Rose Park – Jordan River Watershed Project Information Team

Bi-lingual flier

Información en español pincha aquí.

Email: slcwaterprojects@slcgov.comPhone: 801-912-9546


Background

The Rose Park – Jordan River Watershed Project will feature many green infrastructure elements designed to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier urban environments ultimately to:

  • Improve urban runoff treatment including:  
    • Updated lift station pumps
    • New hydrodynamic separator to improve water quality
    • Waterfall aeration to add much needed oxygen to the water 
    • Expanded natural wetland and riparian area to further improve water before it enters the Jordan River
  • Enhance existing open space area featuring: 
    • Urban runoff water quality improvement demonstration areas featuring green infrastructure best practices
    • Outdoor classroom representing Salt Lake City’s urban runoff collection system
    • Expanded flood plain to better accommodate large storm events
    • Elevated ADA accessible boardwalk and observation deck
    • Improved canoe and kayak launch accessible from the east side of the river
    • Realigned Jordan River Parkway trail
    • Relocated bike pump track (Funding pending. Future phase managed by SLC Parks and Public Lands)
    • Some tree removals and new tree plantings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “urban runoff”?

Urban runoff, or stormwater, occurs when water from rain, snowmelt, or sprinklers flows over the ground. Hard surfaces such as driveways, streets, and sidewalks prevent the water from soaking into the ground. Visit www.stormwatercoalition.org for additional resources. 

What are the water quality concerns at this location?  

Urban runoff picks up trash, chemicals, dirt, and other materials which are then carried in the gutter into the storm drain system, and then into our streams, rivers, and lakes. This project aims to reduce contaminants in the runoff and add oxygen to the water to improve the quality of the water before it enters the Jordan River. 

Will the Jordan River Parkway be closed during construction?  

The Jordan River Parkway will be closed in the project area and detoured along Cornell Street and through Riverside Park to allow crews to work safely in the area. The trail detour is expected to be in place for 9-12 months as crews expand the natural wetland and riparian area and re-align the trail to the east. 

What will happen to the bike pump track?   

The bike pump track will need to be relocated just west of the community garden to allow for the expanded riparian area near the river. Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands has applied for funding to rebuild and make improvements to the bike pump track. The timeline for this aspect of the project has yet to be determined which means this improvement or relocation will be several years away. 

What will the vegetation and landscaping look like when the project is completed? Will there be trees removed?   

There will be 65 trees planted, 35 which are native species. The trees and variety of plants included in the landscaping are part of the green infrastructure elements that aid in improving water quality.  

SLCDPU has consulted with SLC Parks and Public Lands and SLC Urban Forestry on the landscaping plan with the goal of incorporating species that use less water, have a high nutrient removal rate, and provide good wildlife habitat while working to minimize impact to existing trees. The contractor has obtained the necessary permits from SLC Urban Forestry to remove a number of trees and will be implementing a tree protection plan to mitigate construction effects on the remaining trees. 

What is “green infrastructure”?  

Green infrastructure is a cost-effective, resilient approach to managing wet weather impacts that provides many community benefits. While single-purpose gray stormwater infrastructure—conventional piped drainage and water treatment systems—is designed to move urban stormwater away from the built environment, green infrastructure reduces and treats stormwater at its source while delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits. Green infrastructure uses vegetation, soils, and other elements and practices to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier urban environments.