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<br />. ,- <br /> <br />development in Buena Vista. In my opinion this park has already, and will continue to be, a <br />significant part of Buena Vista's economy. <br /> <br />Lower flows at the park are used, but are not the attraction that exists at highet flows~ At <br />higher flows the park becomes a significant attraction, and functions as it was designed for top , <br />level boaters. ' <br /> <br />Use of the Boating Park will occur at many times throughout the bOating season. Due to <br />the centralized location and large group of active local boaters this site is likely to continue" <br />hosting major whitewater freestyle events that will encourage visitors to the Town. When flows <br />are adequate, use of the Buena Vista Boating Park for a variety of types of boating occurs, <br />including kayaking, canoeing, rafting, inflatable boating, and other such general recreation uses. <br />The park is designed to accommodate all of these users but will see higher use, and therefore <br />more benefit to the community, at the higher end of the flows claimed.- <br />, , <br /> <br />Project Design <br /> <br />, The intent of the design in both boating parks was to transform the existing channel into <br />an area that has a variety of structures and interest to a wide variety of whitewater paddlers and <br />other boaters. The sites were designed to accommodate a variety of flows and to have v~g <br />characteristics at varying flow l~vels. <br /> <br />The function2di~ of the courses varies at varying flow levels. At low~ leyels, the <br />courses are navigable, and useful as a training facility for entry-level boaters. As the flow <br />increases; the features become more appropriate for top-level boaters. At higher flow levels, the <br />features formed are appropriate for competitions in :freestyle and slalom and attract out of tOwn <br />boaters from the surrounding regi~n. 'Large whitewater events can attract a number of users to <br />the community' over an extended time period and can' have a significant effect on the economy of <br />the surrounding town. At lower levels fewer paddlers will visit and fewer, if any, competitive <br />events will take place. ' Thi$ is particularly true in Buena Vista and Salida, which are sulrounded <br />by a number of excellent whitewater rivers. Boaters who would otherwise paddle in these <br />~urses will be easily lured,1o more power1W venues if there is insufficient water in the Arkansas <br />River. <br /> <br />The Buena Vista and S8Iida Boating Park c;lesigns incorporate a vanet).- of eDhancements <br />that are conducive to whitewater boating. However, the primary control structures that ~WTeJitIy <br />exist are the single "U" structure (the BV hole) in the Buena Vista Boating Park and the two "U" <br />Structures (Upper and Lower) placed in the Boating Park in Salida. All of these features provide <br />a better boating experience at higher ~ow rates and draw more boaters at ~ose rates. <br /> <br />-7- <br />