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O. ,.....'(\."0 IUG~iU Figure 7. Charlie's Hole at 1850 cfs. The depth of the water plays a significant role in the variety of uses for a particular channel. A course that is between 1 and 2 feet of depth is navigable. A river-craft draws less than 6 inches of water and paddle strokes typically sink to a depth of approximately two feet. At low flows the Steamboat course is good for basic kayaking and other types of boating. The drops are navigable and provide a good venue for learning the sport ofkayaking, tubing and other types of boating, but do not represent a significant challenge to expert boaters nor does it represent an attraction sufficient to lure out oftown boating traffic. As the quantity of water passing over a structure increases the force of the water becomes more powerful and the depth of the water increases. Figure 7 illustrates the size and power of Charlie's Hole at 1850 cfs. This allows kayakers to begin to execute more difficult whitewater maneuvers. For slalom boaters the increased velocity, increased definition in the features and increased size of the features creates a competition venue that is commensurate with national level slalom competitions. For freestyle boaters the increased power, speed and water depth make vertical and aerial maneuvers possible. It should be noted that in freestyle competitions points are awarded for the execution of tricks of varying difficulties. The lowest scoring classes of tricks are those done when the boat is level with the surface. The highest scoring points are awarded for maneuvers where the boat is vertical and often bobs in and out of the water. These high scoring maneuvers are only possible in deep powerful water. It is therefore necessary for the course to have high flows in order to attract top-level freestyle competitors away from similar venues. -13- .,