El Paso Open Space Enhancements

SITES led a multidisciplinary team to create unique, custom designs for improvements at two stormwater dam sites in El Paso: Van Buren Dam and Louisiana Dam. The team developed creative solutions that added community amenities while maintaining the full stormwater capacity and functional requirements of both facilities.

The design introduces a connected system of hard and soft surface trails that link new plazas and gathering spaces. Project amenities include upgraded lighting, ADA-accessible routes, interpretive educational signage, outdoor workout equipment, and enhanced protection of native vegetation. Areas previously disturbed during dam operations were restored with low-water desert plantings and efficient drip irrigation.

Sustainable stormwater strategies are central to the project. Check dams slow and capture runoff before it enters the city’s broader conveyance system, allowing the water to supplement irrigation for native plants. The design also preserves existing natural areas to protect the habitat and ecological health of the Chihuahuan Desert region, ensuring these critical landscapes continue to support local flora and fauna.