City of Durango CFS Data - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

'ity of Durango Search Our Site significant Park aspects. 3.5.2 Kayaking, Rafting and Commercial Boating Kayaking places unique demands on the river. With the advent of newer, smaller high performance kayaks, paddlers tend to congregate at specific locations on the river where hydraulic features (waves, and holes) enable kayakers to hone their kayaking skills and perform freestyle stunts. For example, at the main drop in the Smelter Rapid, which runs through Whitewater Park, boaters line up in the eddies on either side of the river and take turns spinning, surfing and cartwheeling their kayaks in the hydraulic feature in the middle of the drop. It will at times attract upward of 20 kayakers. Demand clearly exists for more play spots on the river in order to reduce crowding and keep up with expanding demand. To accomplish this, existing play boating locations can be enhanced and new ones can even be created. Optimum conditions are: • A steep gradient or vertical drop • Constriction of the river (faster and deeper current) • Under -used location • Public access from shore for kayakers as well as general public use • Access for heavy equipment necessary to create river features • Lack of river hazards - bridge pilings, rock sieves, logs, sharp objects When these conditions are present, they provide an opportunity for kayaking even during low / lower flow periods (200 - 500 <cfs) when kayak opportunities are often minimal. Creating and enhancing special kayak areas will minimize disruption of riverside vegetation and wildlife habitat. Ideally, these areas should be located in under -used Durango Parks Plan Figure 4: Kayaking is becoming increasingly popular as a sport 29 sections of the river. Good sites include areas that are already disturbed, and should be restored after river features are modified. (There is the potential to piggyback on other projects, such as utility line installation or bridge construction. Proposed Actions - A comprehensive evaluation of potential kayak /boating sites is included in the Appendix. Of the sites listed, the Baby Smelter Rapids below Highway 160 Bridge appears to have the best potential. Areas near Rotary Park, Schneider Park, and the proposed Pedestrian Bridge Site near the 17 acres are also good candidates. Durango Parks Plan 30 City of Durango Home Resident Business Services Visitors Forms Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us Calendar 10 ftworad by An ISYS Searrh SONQM Page 8 of Copyright © 1988 - 2005 ISYS Search Software ttp: // web .durangogov.org:88 /isysquery /3 e5177b6- 9341 - 4802- 9b32- 9da5120e9f66/6 /doe/ 2/9/200