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? <br />The Whitewater Course will have a minimum boatable flow rate of 100 cfs. Water at <br />this flow rate will be controlled and diverted throughout the Whitewater Course and will not be <br />wasted. The minimum boatable flow rate for which the Whitewater Course will be designed (100 <br />cfs) is based on basic hydraulic formulas coupled with a working knowledge of this segment of <br />the Blue River and its characteristics. The structures that will create the minimum boatable <br />flows will be hydraulically and structurally sound, with anchors into the bed and banks of the <br />river with large stone and concrete. I can provide more detail regarding design information if <br />necessary. <br />Fiood impacts <br />At flows above 1200 cfs the structures will continue to create a hydraulic and contain the <br />flow, but the play feature will become less significant until the structure will be overtopped. <br />When the structure is overtopped the feature will not affect the floodway and will not affect the <br />100-year floodplain. Numerous HEC-RAS models of similar structures in similar rivers have <br />shown that these structures do not create a flood hazard. <br />Similar Projects <br />? Many of the conclusions reached in this report are based on past experiences at similar <br />projects. 5imilar modifications have been made at a number of boating parks including Vail, <br />Golden, Boulder, Gunnison and Salida. These existing designs verify several key claims made <br />by this report. <br />Primarily these courses validate the fact that these courses see increased use at increased <br />flow rates. Vail, Golden and Salida host major freestyle events during peak 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 these <br />lower flows. <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. The size, <br />power and definition of the features is also observed to increase at increased flow rates. <br />Lastly, these courses verify the viability of a whitewater/boating park. Whitewater sport <br />is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and events held at similar parks have <br />significant effects on the local economy. The benefits of a whitewater/boating park include not <br />only the increased flow of boaters to the area but an increased flow of tourists and spectators. <br />• <br />-10-