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<br />Water Rights. Water Quality J Water 'S;lutions the West
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<br />In This Issue:
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<br />Colorado Recreational
<br />Water Rights ............... 1
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<br />Nr<$rtT~ COLORADO WHITEWATER COURSES .~Wn0,~g
<br />AND WATER RIGHTS
<br />by Kenneth W. Knox, Ph.D., P.E., Colorado Division of Water Resources (Denver)
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<br />Introduction
<br />The State of Colorado, similar to many other regions throughout the United States, is
<br />blessed with rivers and streams of exquisite beauty. Many of these streams cascade
<br />through the mountains and flow toward the oceans with sufficient slope to offer rafting,
<br />kayaking, canoeing, and other types of boating opportunities from early spring through the
<br />summer and autumn months until winter ice encroaches. Individuals have enjoyed river
<br />boating opportunities for decades in the natural stream channels throughout Colorado.
<br />Within the last few years, the number of whitewater enthusiasts has increased dramatically
<br />and prompted an expanding demand for defined courses that include structures desigried
<br />to enhance whitewater features. Local municipal and county officials have responded by
<br />constructing whitewater courses or river parks in their quest to capture the economic
<br />incentives from this burgeoning recreational i!}terest. A map (page 2) and a table
<br />(spanning pages 4 and 5) have been included to help illustrate the range of existing and
<br />pending whitewater courses within Colorado.
<br />This article provides a measure of practical insight into the legal, technical, and
<br />administrative disciplines relevant to water resource management that are impacted by
<br />whitewater courses. To begin, it is important to establish the terminology and physical
<br />characteristics that pertain to a whitewater course. As to terminology, a "recreational in-
<br />channel diversion" (RICO), "whitewater course" and "kayak course" are used
<br />interchangeably and considered to be synonymous. These terms refer to the physical
<br />characteristics of a "whitewater course" and are distinct from the water rights that seek to
<br />provide a protected source of water to flow through these structures.
<br />Whitewater courses are constructed within a predefined stretch of a natural river
<br />channel or stream corridor. These courses include drop structures and other flow-altering
<br />structures constructed within the stream to provide near-instantaneous course changes,
<br />elevation drops, standing waves, and other turbulence-inducing features that enhance the
<br />"ride" within a predefined stretch of a stream corridor. The structures are typically I
<br />constructed of large boulders placed in accordance with a professional engineering design ' \
<br />to retain their structural integrity under high flows and provide varying levels of J'-
<br />whitewater challenges to enthusiasts with different degrees of proficiency under changing ,
<br />river flows. The hydraulic structures BEe keyed (i.e., anchored), into the banks 'of the river
<br />and the river channel for stability. They are often grouted or cemented for additional
<br />structural strength. Construction activities within the natural stream channel are subject to
<br />federal compliance with the "dredge and fill" requirements in Section 404 of the Clean
<br />Water Act (33 U.S.C.A. ~ 404). As previously mentioned, these whitewater courses are
<br />constructed within or adjacent to municipalities, therefore they often include spectator
<br />seating along the river corridor to offer unobstructed views to friends, families, and others
<br />enjoying the aquatic athleticism of whitewater enthusiasts.
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<br />Federal Wetlands
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<br />J'UriSdiCtiOD ................ 8
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<br />Water Utility
<br />Conservation Project
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<br />An.alysis ....................... 13
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<br />Rights-of-Way Across
<br />Federal Lands:
<br />9th Circuit Ruling ..... 22
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<br />Water Briefs ............... 23
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<br />Calendar ..................... 27
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<br />Upcoming Stories:
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<br />Instream. Flow
<br />Science
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<br />Water Planning
<br />In Phoenix
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<br />& More!
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<br />Issue #30
<br />
<br />August 15, 2006
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