PROJECT

Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration.

Dubuque, Iowa

Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration

project details.

Client

City of Dubuque

Location

Dubuque, Iowa

Services

Architecture
Engineering
Structural
Municipal
Traffic & Transportation
Land Survey
Field Services

Creating a design to serve as a watershed solution and a catalyst for neighborhood reinvestment & revitalization.

The City of Dubuque’s Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project was the largest capital improvement project in the City’s history.

The design takes former industrial, commercial, and residential properties and creates an open waterway with a linear park—complemented by highly-visible bridge, culvert, and overlook structures, a recreation green space and trail, outdoor amphitheater, a community orchard and playground equipment.

The Bee Branch flood mitigation project protects over 1,300 homes and businesses from frequent and severe flash flooding to prevent an estimated $582 million in flood damage over its 100-year design life.

project overview

The Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project includes two distinct sections, Lower Bee Branch and Upper Bee Branch.

The Upper Bee Branch portion was designed to take on storm water during rain events and move it safely through the area without flooding adjacent properties. It includes a 2,300-foot long landscaped creek and green space that accommodates low intensity recreational use, including a multi-use trail system, a play area with slides, scenic overlooks, an urban orchard and garden and an outdoor amphitheater which provides a venue for teaching and neighborhood gatherings.

The Upper Bee Branch bridges span the flowing creek providing horizontal and vertical clearance for a multi-use recreational trail beneath. The bridges were seen as an opportunity to create a “gateway” experience for travelers at the street level to send a message they were entering something unique and special. This was the driving force behind incorporating the planters with pedestrian viewing and seating areas and open railings. The project has the added value of improving water quality and property values and stimulating investment.

IIW served as the project manager, architect, and structural engineering consultant for both the Lower Bee Branch and Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration projects.

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Not to be corny but we think our employee owners are a-maize-ing!

We love celebrating them every month but especially throughout October! This week we passed out Great American Popcorn Company popcorn to our employees to thank them for all they do!

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Stop by our booth at the ICCS Annual Conference this Wednesday & Thursday to learn more about what Origin Design can do for you!

We hope to see you there!

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Hey College Students!

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Jeff Winter is celebrating 40 years at Origin Design! We're so lucky to have you on our #origincrew! Join us in celebrating this incredible accomplishment! Congrats, Jeff!

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#workingontomorrow Check out the progress being made on the 6th Avenue and Northridge Road Improvement project in DeWitt, Iowa. This reconstruction project is set to be completed in October and included major improvements to public utilities along the roadway. Origin provided Land Survey, Engineering and Field Services for the project.

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