The Big Dry Creek Restoration project transformed a highly altered section of Big Dry Creek through Westminster City Park into a more resilient stream corridor that supports floodplain function, wildlife habitat, recreation, and community use. The City of Westminster and Mile High Flood District partnered on the project, with Olsson leading engineering and design, Stream Landscape Architecture + Planning shaping the landscape and public-space experience, Naranjo Civil Constructors serving as the prime contractor, and Western States Reclamation providing landscape restoration, revegetation, planting, and irrigation.
Over decades of development, portions of Big Dry Creek had been straightened and constrained, increasing flow velocities, contributing to bank erosion, degrading habitat, and limiting the creek’s connection to its floodplain. The restoration project took a process-based approach, realigning and reshaping the channel to restore sinuosity, reconnecting the floodplain, and incorporating riffle-pool systems and bioengineered banks to create a more stable and naturally functioning stream.
Western States Reclamation’s work focused on bringing the restored corridor back to life following the major stream and floodplain construction. WSR installed native seed mixes, riparian and upland plantings, establishment irrigation, and stabilization measures across the reconstructed landscape. The revegetation work was closely coordinated with Naranjo, the design team, Mile High Flood District, and the City to establish vegetation across newly graded banks, wetlands, floodplain areas, trails, and public spaces.
The project extends well beyond stream stabilization. New trails, stream crossings, a boardwalk, seating areas, and an outdoor education space reconnect visitors with Big Dry Creek. A mature wetland area was protected throughout construction, while pollinator habitat incorporated into the trail system added another layer of ecological value to the park. The finished landscape intentionally blurs the line between creek restoration and public recreation, allowing ecological function and community use to coexist.
The project received the 2026 APWA Colorado Environment Award in the Large Project category. Its success reflects an integrated approach in which civil construction, ecological restoration, landscape architecture, recreation, and long-term vegetation establishment were considered together rather than as separate pieces.
For WSR, Big Dry Creek demonstrates the importance of long-term establishment in successful stream restoration. Native vegetation, irrigation, erosion stabilization, and adaptive management are essential to turning newly constructed floodplain and channel improvements into a functioning landscape that continues to mature over time.

City of Westminster & Mile High Flood District

Westminster, Colorado