Vegetation Management and Fire Risk in Drainageways

Golden reeds and brown cattail plants against a sunny backdrop.

Our Approach to Drainageway Vegetation Management & Reducing Fire Risk

SEMSWA, in coordination with other partner entities including South Metro Fire Rescue and Mile High Flood District, is sharing our approach to wildfire and flood control mitigation. Healthy native vegetation is important for a flourishing environment and functional floodplain. Healthy native vegetation helps prevent erosion from flood waters, increases soil moisture and discourages growth of dry weeds. With limited and strategic mowing of native vegetation, we help reduce fire intensity.

SEMSWA has been removing dead, woody vegetation. Removal of dead wood and debris within our drainageways is not only effective for flood control, but also effective for fire mitigation in open spaces because dry woody vegetation may act as a fuel source allowing a fire to burn hotter and longer.

Our Practices in Areas We Maintain Include:

Weed control
Mowing buffers along residential property lines (coordinated with partner agencies)
Trash removal
Woody debris removal
Dead and downed tree removal
Dense vegetation removal
Clear maintenance access to prevent sparking from vehicles and equipment
June & October mowing (months with lower fire risk)
Routine inspection and evaluation of our sites

If you are interested in resources to help you protect your home or business from fire, please visit: http://www.southmetro.org/DocumentCenter/View/545/Mitigation-Tips?bidId=

Website Accessibility Statement

Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (the "District") is committed to ensuring that its services are accessible to all members of the public. As part of this commitment, the District strives to provide an accessible website compatible with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, AA, and commercial screen reading software. Features of the website are created to allow individuals with vision and other impairments to understand and use the website to the same degree as someone without disabilities.

If you need any special assistance or accommodations:

Contact our compliance support team via telephone at: (888) 765-1970

Ongoing Compliance Information

Compliance Coordinator

The District has designated a Compliance Coordinator for website disability-related accommodations. The Compliance Coordinator has received training in website accessibility and updates the site in accordance with those best practices and requirements.

Compliance Procedures

The District is working to ensure all website content complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and controlling State laws. In an ongoing effort to continually improve and remediate accessibility issues, the website is regularly scanned to ensure ongoing compliance, and timely changes are made to any inaccessible content if found.

Accessible Documents Policy

The District is committed to providing all documents hosted on the website in an accessible format or making accessible alternatives available.

Linked Documents and Third Parties

Please note that this site may link out to third-party websites that do not have accessible content. This site may also include documents provided by third parties. While we cannot control the accessibility of content provided by third parties, we are happy to assist any member of the public with reading and accessing content on our site.

Report a Website Accessibility Issue

We are committed to your ability to access all content, and we will respond to all requests in a timely manner. If you need assistance or accommodations while accessing content on this website, please contact our Compliance Coordinator via the form below: