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
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.

Follow our journey.

Happy 30th Anniversary, Lynn Neal! Join us in congratulating Lynn on reaching this incredible milestone! We're so lucky to have you, Lynn!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #itstartshere

Happy 15th Anniversary, Eric Helminiak! We're so lucky to have you on our #origincrew! Join us in congratulating Eric on reaching this incredible milestone!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #itstartshere

We're excited to welcome Kelly Jo Fassbinder to Origin Design! As our new Marketing Manager, we can't wait to see all that she will achieve in this role!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Kelly Jo!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere

#WorkingOnTomorrow

Origin Design has teamed up with the City of Davenport to enhance three of its parks! Our civil engineers collaborated with the City to create multi-sports courts at Cork Hill Park, Herington Park, and Van Buren Park!

Discover more about the project here: https://origindesign.com/projects/davenport-multi-sports-courts

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #parksandrecreation

#WorkingOnTomorrow

Looking for a great spot to enjoy the outdoors this summer? Check out our project, Off Shore Hotel & Resort , located in Bellevue, IA! Our team has helped the resort expand its campground by adding 114 new sites along with essential utilities and connecting roadways!

Find out more about this exciting project here: https://origindesign.com/projects/off-shore-resort

#CreatingABetterTomorrow #OriginDesign #LandDevelopment #Municipal #LandSurvey

#workingontommorow

Check out the results from our collaboration with the City of Dyersville and Dyersville Economic Development Corporation on the expansion of the Dyersville 20 West Industrial Center! This extension created four new lots zoned for both commercial and industrial use!

Learn more about the project here: https://origindesign.com/projects/dyersville-20-west-industrial-center-phase-3

#creatingabettertommorrow #origindesign #landdevelopment #municipal #transportation #waterresources

Welcome our Summer 2025 Interns!

Luke Althaus, Ryan Ruppel and Connor Richmond recently joined our #origincrew!

We are excited to have these three talented interns joining us this summer! Working across three departments, these interns are sure to make an impact!

#creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere #internships #origindesign!

#workingontomorrow

Last week some of our engineers attended the Dubuque Gate & Pump Station Flood Mitigation Project Kick-Off! We're excited to be partnering with the City of Dubuque, Iowa, Portzen Construction and more on this phase of the Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project.

The new facility will include a new flood gate, four new 100,000 gallon per minute pumps (double the capacity of the existing facility), new electrical service, and the installation of back-up generators.

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #beebranch

Join us in welcoming Amelia Retzlaff to Origin Design! Amelia recently joined our Architectural Team & we're so excited to see what she accomplishes in this role!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Amelia!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere

#workingontomorrow

Check out these completed photos of this bridge replacement project on Cosgrove Road over N. Branch Old Man's Creek in Johnson County, Iowa.

Learn more about the project and see more photos here: https://origindesign.com/projects/cosgrove-road-over-n-branch-old-mans-creek

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #transportation #bridges

Join us in welcoming Sophia Adams, EIT to Origin Design! Sophia recently joined our Dubuque Office as a Structural Engineering Designer!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Sophia! We're excited to see what you accomplish in your new role!

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #yourfuturestartshere

We're excited to share that Nathaniel Nelson is officially part of our Quad Cities office as an Architectural Associate! After his internship this Spring, he's now a full-time team member.

Welcome to the #origincrew, Nate!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere