![\"Whitewater\"](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/whitewaterheader550.jpg\")
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Whitewater parks are becoming increasingly popular across the United States, but what are they? \u00a0In most cases these parks are in a river that has been\u00a0modified to enhance the opportunities for recreation, generally kayaking and sometimes surfing or stand up paddle boarding. \u00a0 Done properly a smooth-flowing stream can become a complex whitewater adventure.<\/p>\n
In a few cases, these are man-made channels with pumps that recirculate the water. This type of whitewater park is usually designed for white water rafting adventures or competitive kayaking. \u00a0In this post, \u00a0I’ll talk about the type of whitewater park that uses \u00a0a natural stream and its flow of water.<\/p>\n
Whitewater parks\u00a0require\u00a0a great deal of careful planning. \u00a0Typically, a community will identify a segment of a stream or river that citizens think might work as a whitewater park. \u00a0If the stream and its banks are publicly owned and suitable as a park, a professional design\u00a0engineer\u00a0is\u00a0brought in to examine the possibilities and determine whether a whitewater park is feasible at the given location.<\/p>\n
If all looks good, \u00a0the process moves on to preliminary design and ultimately final design. \u00a0The design\u00a0phases are\u00a0exceptionally complex and typically use a variety of computer programs. \u00a0They start with developing a digital terrain model of the existing river bed and a model of the way water flows through the river section. \u00a0The flow in most natural streams varies considerably, so the design\u00a0engineer needs to understand how the river behaves at different flow levels.<\/p>\n Once the existing system is well understood, the designer analyzes the effect of placing rock features and barriers at different locations. \u00a0While the flow characteristics would make the created water behavior vary over time, \u00a0the designer seeks to have the system offer a high quality recreation experience over the widest possible range of flow levels.<\/p>\n Once a final design that would make the stream behave in ways that are desired by kayakers is completed, construction can begin. \u00a0Construction requires heavy equipment and skilled operators that can convert the plans into reality. \u00a0When complete, or nearly so, expert kayakers take to the water to test the system. \u00a0Often adjustments are needed to get the best possible attributes for kayakers.<\/p>\n There are a lot of whitewater parks scattered across the U.S. \u00a0here are just a few to illustrate the different types that have been constructed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The whitewater channel is suitable for kayaking, standup paddle boarding and surfing – if you’re good enough! \u00a0\u00a0You can see a live webcam view of this park at eyeonbend.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Building](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/ManchesterConstruction.jpg\")
<\/a>Designers of these parks are experts in fluid dynamics, so they understand what will happen to the water with various river modifications. \u00a0They also understand kayaking and the other uses of these parks so they can create attributes that users want. \u00a0They will evaluate the existing shape of the channel, underlying rock formations,\u00a0variations\u00a0in water flow over time, bank stability and many other factors to determine whether or not it’s worth creating a park in the given location.<\/p>\nU.S. Whitewater Parks<\/h1>\n
Gore Canyon Whitewater Park<\/h3>\n
This park is located on the Colorado River outside Kremmling, Colorado near\u00a0the Bureau of Land Management’s Pumphouse Recreation Area. It took six years and $1.7 million to make the park a reality. \u00a0It opened just a year ago to provide an exciting experience to kayakers, boaters and even stand up paddle boarders that can surf in the \u00a0large wave. Huge\u00a0boulders were placed in the river bed to create a wave system that allows users to paddle through an eddy and move back and forth among the waves. \u00a0This allows long term water play in this special area without being forced downstream by the river flow.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
Bend Whitewater Park<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Bend, Oregon has a\u00a0great whitewater park in the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District of the city. \u00a0The park offers three channels:<\/p>\n\n
Clear Creek Whitewater Park<\/h3>\n
The city of Golden, Colorado, dedicated this park in 1998 for recreational canoeing and kayaking. \u00a0It is right in the city\u00a0and\u00a0runs about \u00bc mile. \u00a0\u00a0Its drops, pools and fast eddies requires proficient paddlers that can handle fast-moving, cold white water. \u00a0The park becomes the setting for \u00a0the annual Golden Kayak Rodeo Competition and the Golden Games.<\/p>\nTruckee River Whitewater Park<\/h3>\n
<\/a>This park is located in downtown Reno, Nevada. \u00a0It’s a half-mile long and features eleven drop pools created from 7,000 tons of flat-top rocks and boulders placed in the river. \u00a0It’s a class 2 experience suitable for kayaks, canoes, rafts and inner tubes. \u00a0There is also a webcam at this park<\/a>.<\/p>\nManchester Whitewater Park<\/h3>\n