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<br />0025D3 <br /> <br />Vail, Golden, Boulder, and Salida. These existing designs verify several key claims made by <br />this report. <br /> <br />Primarily these courses verify the fact that these courses see increased use at increased <br />flow rates. Vail, Golden and Salida host major freestyk events during peale run~off season. <br />These events often attract thousands of spectators and have a significant effect on the local <br />community's economy. The courses also see vastly increased traffic at higher levels outside of <br />competition dates. This traffic is attributed to boaters and onlookers that are interested in the <br />more dynamic moves that are possible at higher flow rates. Furthermore the courses are used at <br />low flow for lower, mid-level and local boating. These boaters often sharpen their skills at <br />these lower flows. Rarely does this user group travel extended distances to use the course. <br /> <br />Secondly the existing courses verify the design functionality. In all of these courses the <br />flow'is diverted and controlled to create desirable recreational in-stream features. Equation 1, <br />the Weir Equation, approximates the flow depths as expected at all designed flows. The size, <br />power and definition of the features is also observed to increase at increased flow rates. <br /> <br />Lastly these courses verify the viability of a Whitewater Park. Whitewater sport is one <br />of the fastest growing sports in the country and events held at similar parks have significant <br />effects on the local economy. The benefits of a Whitewater Park include not only the increased <br />flow of boaters to the town but an increased flow of tourists and spectators. The park provides <br />a natural outdoor experience for the townspeople to enjoy in a picturesque riverside <br />environment. <br /> <br />Conclusions <br /> <br />The opinions in this letter are based on my experience in designing whitewater parks <br />and a long avocation as a whitewater paddler. Based on that background, I believe that the <br />Gunnison Whitewater course is located in an ideal location and has been created with ideal <br />features to make this park an attraction to the local community, Western College users, the <br />boating community and to visitors to the, region. It is my opinion that the course has a <br /> <br />19 <br />