Contractors for the University of Colorado at Boulder will perform routine maintenance on the flood protection levee located on CU-South property next week between May 5 and May 9.
The work will bring the berm up to elevations necessary to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements based on the approved South Boulder Creek hydrology study conducted by the City of Boulder. Adding additional height to portions of the levee will better protect Boulder residents located in the South Boulder Creek West Valley Overflow area of the city.
According to Acting Vice Chancellor for Administration Jeff Lipton, CU will import and place fill dirt at different locations on the levee – including a small portion of its east section – raising its elevation to meet FEMA requirements.
"CU staff has met with county staff to discuss these plans, and the county has concurred with CU that this constitutes routine maintenance work and does not fall within the temporary South Boulder Creek moratorium area," said Lipton. "Residents can be assured this is basic flood mitigation maintenance work that will make the levee functional and fulfill FEMA requirements. The university has no plans at this time to develop CU-South."
Lipton said the work is expected to take four-to-five days to perform. During that time, access to CU-South will be limited in order to maintain public safety. There also will be some light truck traffic, with trucks entering the area from the west, off Highway 93.