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<br />. <br /> <br />F our Comers Free Press <br /> <br />Page I of 4 <br /> <br /> <br />Fighting for whitewater <br /> <br />By Jim Mimiaga <br /> <br />E-mail this article <br /> <br />Rafting and kayaking Colorado's numerous whitewater rivers is a surging business, pumping <br />$200 million into the state's economy last year, according to industry analysts. The Four <br />Comers contributes its share, hosting thousands of commercial and private boaters on the <br />Animas, Dolores and San Juan rivers each spring and summer. <br /> <br />In the past five years a wave of popularity has hit the sport statewide, prompting cities such as <br />Golden, Salida, Gunnison, Steamboat Springs, Vail and Breckenridge to seek water rights for <br />whitewater parks through their towns for athletes to compete in, and for tourists to watch. <br /> <br />But as commercial and residential development <br />booms in the state, the question of whether <br />whitewater parks can gain the legal clout to sustain <br />themselves is unclear. Without court-recognized <br />recreational water rights, towns like Durango, <br />Dolores and Pagosa Springs could see their <br />whitewater stretches depleted of the higher flows <br />needed for the challenges coveted by river <br />enthusiasts. <br /> <br />Animas River vulnerable <br /> <br />In Durango, officials recently began discussions to <br />consider establishing so-called recreational in- <br />channel diversion rights for the Smelter Rapid <br />kayak course. The method is to ensure adequate <br />flows for the course by securing water rights that <br />would be senior to the inevitable thirst of <br />developers upstream. <br /> <br />The Smelter course could be threatened by water <br />demand for development up-valley in Hermosa and <br /> <br />,J" <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />http://www.fourcomersfreepress.com/news/2005/080502.htm <br /> <br />1 0/4/2005 <br /> <br />~ <br />