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s <br />F ' <br />On l <br />I V <br />Background <br />In 1996, the City of Golden contacted me regarding the planning and design of a proposed <br />whitewater course on Clear Creek near downtown Golden. The City was interested in re- <br />constructing the existing channel to create drop /pools, eddies, currents, and various whitewater <br />features to create a world -class whitewater course. The vision and intent of the project was to <br />create a course that could hold national slalom and rodeo events as well as to attract the many <br />Denver area paddlers on a regular basis.. This project was an integral element of Golden's overall <br />redevelopment of its downtown area. <br />A preliminary and final design was completed and approved through numerous public <br />meetings and*City Council approval. The project consisted of 7 drop /pool sequences along with <br />large boulder placement and bank reconstruction for spectator seating. The structures were to be <br />constructed of large natural stone, held together by concrete grouting. <br />Design and Construction <br />The project was built by Aquatic and Wetland Co. of Ft. Lupton, Colorado. <br />Approximately 1600 c.y. of rock and 300 c.y. of grout was used to build the project. It took <br />approximately14 weeks to construct. The inter t e design was to transform ex;i g <br />unifo chan nel into an area that has a variety of structures and interest to a wide variety of <br />..._ . , <br />The course design incorporates a variety of diversion and control structures to create <br />whitewater features that are conducive to whitewater paddling. All of these features provide a <br />better boating experience at the higher flow rates and therefore draw more boaters at those rates. <br />Obviously, very high flood flows in excess of 1000.cfs were not considered as normal boating <br />flows, but the course was designed to withstand the impact of high flood flows. Structures <br />included in the Golden course include offset deflectors, "U" drops, and "V" drops. Each of these <br />is followed by a self- scouring pool. These structures are designed to divert and control the flow <br />at specific points to create surf waves, rodeo holes, standing waves, eddies, and jets of water for <br />squirt boating. As water flows increase, these wave forms become larger, more powerful, and <br />conducive to the sport of whitewater rodeo, playboating, and slalom racing. <br />