Rain carries debris, mud in Fountain Creek south

Rain washed debris and mud down Fountain Creek Tuesday, highlighting a debate between Colorado Springs and Pueblo that has gone on for years.

The two cities are at odds over who is responsible for cleaning up Fountain Creek. The debate is tied in with the Southern Delivery System (SDS). The pipeline project is one of the biggest in the western U.S. The pipe will transport water stored in the Pueblo Reservoir north to Pueblo West, Fountain, Security and Colorado Springs.

Within the agreement, Colorado Spring Utilities must help manage stormwater in Fountain Creek headed south. However, CSU and Pueblo leaders are at odds over when mitigation efforts need to start and how to address the problems.

“We’re trying to get past the debate and work toward finding solutions,” said Pueblo County Commissioner Terry Hart.

Right now, Hart said debris and sediment washed downriver are costly problems for Pueblo.

“You can see today with the high water, it’s carrying debris down and it represents actually a threat against our infrastructure,” said Hart.

Right now the city of Colorado Springs does have systems in place within Fountain Creek including detention ponds and debris basins. Their objectives are to minimize debris and pollutants that flow south.

“I think there is quite a bit in there that we have done and people don’t realize the amount of work that we have done,” said city Public Works Director Travis Easton.

Colorado Springs promised Pueblo it would create a better stormwater drainage system. If it doesn’t, Pueblo County said it can stop Colorado Springs from pumping water from the Pueblo Reservoir.