Red Rocks Amphitheatre Rockfall Mitigation

Since opening to the public in 1941, Red Rocks Amphitheatre has served as a breathtaking open-air theater and music venue ten miles west of Denver, Colorado. Its two monoliths, Creation Rock and Ship Rock, tower over the park and provide an unsurpassed acoustic effect for live performances. Over a million live music fans visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre every year.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is subject to rockfall hazards due to the nature of its geologic structure. In September 2011, seven people sustained injuries due to falling rocks at a live concert. This unfortunate incident underscores the necessity of periodic rockfall mitigation.

How GeoStabilization Reduced Rockfall Hazards at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

GeoStabilization International®partners with the City and County of Denver to ensure visitor safety at Red Rocks Amphitheatre by inventorying rockfall hazards and performing regular rockfall mitigation. Once threats are identified, GeoStabilization uses its expertise to enhance public safety at the historic Red Rocks location by mitigating the risks. To prevent rockfall incidents, GeoStabilization staff members:

• Inspect rock features via on-slope rope access and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Maintain and update a local rockfall hazard inventory, comparing it to a 3D model developed using photogrammetry data collected from UAVs
• Document any changes to the identified rockfall threats throughout the Red Rocks Amphitheatre complex
• Propose rockfall mitigation solutions when necessary

GeoStabilization’s geohazard mitigation work at the complex involves close collaboration with local authorities, park staff, personnel in charge of local natural resources and wildlife, and the public visiting Red Rocks.

Innovative Rockfall Control Technologies

Because of the historical and cultural importance of the Red Rocks site, any rockfall mitigation projects must take place with maximum sensitivity to aesthetic requirements. GeoStabilization’s 3D model of the local rockfall hazards enables greater clarity and more effective communication between GeoStabilization and the project stakeholders regarding geohazards and mitigation plans.

The 3D model is especially useful when the GeoStabilization staff must address rockfall hazards at points that are hard to view or inaccessible at ground level.

Why Use the UAV Technology to Mitigate Geohazards

A pioneer in UAV geohazard mitigation technology, GeoStabilization has been using UAVs since 2015. Today, UAV technology is the chief geohazard assessment tool GeoStabilization uses for rockfall control. Collecting data by UAVs enables GeoStabilization’s engineers to access crucial site information without risking exposure to rockfall hazards and unstable ground.

Apart from personnel safety, using UAVs to collect site data offers the benefits of:

• Speed. UAVs enable faster, simpler data collection.
• Accuracy. Easier viewing of all necessary site locations facilitates the development of comprehensive rockfall solutions.
• Reduced costs. With speedier risk assessments and mitigation planning, a site is less likely to suffer the extensive rockfall threats that could lead to closing a venue like Red Rocks Amphitheatre for weeks or months.

GeoStabilization International®: The Number One Global Choice for Rockfall Control and Geohazard Mitigation

The geohazard mitigation experts of GeoStabilization International® provide fast, 24/7 emergency response across the United States and Canada. Our advanced technologies, multi-year performance warranties, and fixed-cost proposals make us the first geohazard mitigation choice.

Contact GeoStabilization International® at 855-579-0536 for our geohazard mitigation services.