Attractive Erosion Control

An outstanding characteristic of the design is its varied and organic look. This results from a mix of materials and textures. For flood control, walls are a key feature, but the team specified a mix of textures to avoid an artificial look.

Molded, poured-in-place concrete simulates a classic masonry wall. Other vertical surfaces are sandblasted concrete. A series of low retaining walls (that double as amphitheater seating) are constructed of river rock that complements the creek?EUR??,,????'?????<

AFTER: An aerial view shows the Vista Village creek walk after its completion in 2002. The bare space to the left has since been developed with a movie theater and shopping complex. Pads on either side of the central bridge are planned for restaurants and remain to be filled. This view looks from southwest to northeast. In storms, water flows directly into the concrete channel at the bottom of this view.

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Project History

The design team knew that careful study and calculation would be critical during the early planning stage. Hydraulic engineer Bruce M. Phillips, ASCE, worked with Andrew to ensure that the creek would contain the creek?EUR??,,????'?????<

The complete paper can be found at www.rbfconsulting.com/papers/philips_udcrp.html

The City of Vista had agriculture beginnings, but is now one of the fastest growing towns in San Diego County.

In the late 1990s, an ambitious redevelopment program targeted 50 acres of decaying commercial and industrial parcels in the downtown area. The project includes the development of a destination commercial and entertainment center with shops, restaurants, and theaters, along with a regional transit center.

Work during the creek-restoration phase gives a good look at erosion-control elements of the project. The streambed boulders and cobbles are being set in welded-wire-reinforced concrete. At left are mortared, exposed-aggregate retaining walls that mitigate heavy flow during storms. These walls double as amphitheater seats during calmer times?EUR??,,????'?????<

The jewel in the crown is the creek walk. It replaces a 1951 concrete flood control channel, and incorporates the preservation of a historic adobe building.

Elements and Solutions

Flood protection and the floodplain hydraulics became one of the primary driving design questions for the redevelopment area since the entire project is located within a mapped flood hazard zone from a watershed with a tributary drainage area of over nine square miles. The plan incorporates the following elements and solutions.

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