30+ year partnership with Mile High Flood District continues

The Mile High Flood District, formerly known as Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, was formed in 1969 in response to the South Platte River flood of 1965. Its mission was to provide overall stormwater management planning for the Front Range, including Highlands Ranch. All property owners pay a MHFD mill levy, which is used to fund capital projects and maintenance of drainage facilities in the community.

MHFD has worked closely with the Metro District on the design and construction of more than 30 different Highlands Ranch open space projects since 1990, spending more than $12 million as their share of the funding. These projects have improved drainageways in Highlands Ranch by stabilizing creek bottoms and banks, reducing erosion and improving water quality. The projects allow riparian areas to develop along creeks, benefiting wildlife by providing food and shelter.

MHFD also provides maintenance of drainage facilities, which involves both the repair and restoration of small erosion issues, preservation of our water quality and detention ponds, and vegetation management. Over the last two years, MHFD has worked closely with the Metro District to remove more than 1,000 Russian olive trees and other invasive species from our open space. The program is continuing through this year.

If you have questions about the Metro District’s stormwater management projects, please contact Forrest Dykstra at fdykstra@highlandsranch.org.

Russian olive removal program

The Metro District’s Russian olive removal program continues in 2023, and will focus on removals in the Middle Fork and Dad Clark open spaces near Northridge Park, 8800 S. Broadway. The Metro District is working to eradicate all Russian olive trees from Metro District owned and managed properties during the next few years. Russian olive trees tax water reserves, can spread easily and can out-compete native species for nutrients and space. Learn how to apply for a homeowner incentive program at highlandsranch.org/forestry or see the info on the back page of this issue.