ANALYSIS OF EXISTING RIVER DES PERES CONDITIONS My initial analysis of the site began by examining gage (water level) depth and bathymetry of the confluence between the River Des Peres and the Mississippi. This examination showed that while both rivers experience these changes at different scales, the trends of each mimic the other, creating a pairing of sites. This concept of water flow and changes can easily be projected onto the traffic patterns and connectivity of not only the rivers, but also the greater Saint Louis area surrounding the site. Through mapping, one can see that the River Des Peres begins in a high traffic, residential neighborhood, but becomes increasingly disconnected from the greater city as one moves towards the confluence. Another issue to address was that of public transportation, with the Great Rivers Greenway scattered along the river, and with disconnected portions of bike path that prevented the entirety of the river from being engaged. Confluence: The junction of two rivers; an act or process of merging Images from confluence (left) and residential area (Right)
River Des peres Bathymetry
Mississippi River bathymetry Jan
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River Des peres Gage Depth
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Mississippi gage depth
Gage depth transect of river des peres and the mississippi rivers
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Low: Less than 5’-0”
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Bathymetry transect of river des peres and the mississippi rivers
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Average: 5’-0” to 10’-0”
High: 10’-0” to 15’-0”
Confluence: The junction of two rivers; an act or process of merging.
Flood: 15’-0” to 20’-0” Flood sections
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flow diagrams
Parks and Bike paths
metro / bus stops and routes
Connectivity: Existing Conditions
Highways, railways and major roads
“ring” proposal for River Des peres My proposed project for the River Des Peres would connect the existing roads, bike paths and parks together through additional networks of walking/biking paths and waterways, mimicking the greater proposed “River Ring” of trails created by Great Rivers Greenway. This network would connect the various open spaces around the River, loosely categorized as park, graveyard, interstitial spaces, and the expansion of the confluence. Each of these areas can be programmed to account for potential flood risk and to create a more welcoming and engaging River’s edge. Another aspect of the design that I explored was the concept of the “riparian edge.” By using an island-like design to support the additional bridges, I was able to increase the amount of surface area exposed to the water that can begin to form a more diverse ecosystem around these new proposed changes.
Existing “river Ring” Network of Great Rivers Greenway
crossing points
existing and proposed bike paths
Urban connectivity proposal
Types of open areas
proposed existing bridges to update
water distribution strategy
Existing Section of Confluence
Proposed new bridges
Proposed section of confluence