This project began in 1999 as a stormwater facility to manage runoff volumes and contaminant loading from a 6 km length of Deerfoot Trail, Calgary’s major urban freeway. A high standard of water treatment was required due to the sensitivity of a trout fishery in the receiving waters of the Bow River, south of Fish Creek Park. Innovative solutions were required due to the number of approving authorities and stakeholders, the sheer size and complexity of the work, and the need to address interest groups who are astutely aware of the recreational amenity value of this area.  An abandoned gravel pit south of Highway 22X and east of the river provided the opportunity for a integrative environmental design project to treat the Deerfoot Trail stormwater runoff and restore the gravel pit to a functioning ecosystem with Fish Creek Park.