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and presented at a number of public meetings. Various feasibility studies were <br />conducted, funds were raised for the project, and the necessary permits obtained. <br />Construction has been commenced. (Testimony of John DeVore and Gary Lacy.) <br />Tourism is an important industry in Gunnison County, and the whitewater park is <br />expected to be an attractive tourist draw for both beginners and the more experienced <br />boaters and kayakers who make up the booming paddling industry. (Testimony of John <br />DeVore, Gary Lacy, and Mark Gibson). Indeed, Paddler Magazine, which bills itself as <br />the "World's No. 1 Canoeing, Kayaking and Rafting Magazine," has already identified <br />the Gunnison Whitewater Park as an "upcoming whitewater park guaranteed to put more <br />play iM your paddling." (See Exhibit F.) <br />The whitewater park will also be a desirable amenity for local citizens. Western <br />State College, located in Gunnison, has a popular outdoor recreation program that will be <br />enhanced by the availability of a nearby professional quality whitewater park. <br />(Testimony of Mark Gibson.) Located just outside the city limits of the City of Gunnison, <br />the park is ideally situated for easy access by both tourists and locals, as well as the <br />Western State College program. (Testimony of Mark Gibson and John DeVore.) The <br />park, which will be free and open to the public, is nevertheless expected to generate <br />revenues in the County and the City of Gunnison. (Testimony of John DeVore.) <br />II. The Water Court Application. <br />The District filed an Application for Surface Water Rights for Recreational In- <br />channel Uses on March 29, 2002, with the Water Court, Water Division No. 4. The <br />application seeks conditional water rights for six separate dam structures and water <br />deflector devices that will capture, concentrate and control the flows of the Gunnison <br />River for kayaking, boating, rafting, tubing and other recreational uses. The application <br />was the result of a cooperative effort between the District and Gunnison County to <br />provide a water-based recreational amenity to the Gunnison community and its visitors. <br />The application seeks conditional water rights in varying flow rates for the months <br />of May through September of each year. The flow rates vary in two-week intervals, as <br />follows: <br />May 1- 15 570 cfs <br />May 16 - 31 1190 <br />June 1 - 15 1460 <br />June 16 - 30 1500 <br />July 1 -15 1100 <br />July 16 - 31 530 <br />August 1 -16 460 <br />August 16 - 31 390 <br />September 1 -15 300 <br />September 16 - 30 270 <br />2