Appendix 1-4 City of Durango RICD Presentation to the Water Conservation Board

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APPENDIX 1 CITY OF DURANGO RICD PRESENTATION TO THE WATER CONSERVATION BOARD Presented by Catherine Metz, Parks and Recreation Director City of Durango Introduction The City of Durango has submitted an application for a Recreational In- Channel Diversion (RICD) water right for the Durango Boating Park on the Animas River. The Durango Boating Park will consist of five control structures with an approximate length of 1,183 ft. The amounts claimed vary by structure and season with a range from 185 cfs to 1,400 cfs. These amounts claimed are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day, except during competitive events when the hours extend from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. The RiCD water rights will be used for all recreational uses including boating, kayaking, tubing, rafting, floating, canoeing and other general recreational uses. The following individuals will testify on behalf of the City of Durango: Catherine Metz, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Durango Otha J. Rogers, P.E., Public Works Director, City of Durango Gary Lacy, P.E., and /or Scott Shipley, Recreation Engineering and Planning Gary Thompson, P.E., W.W. Wheeler and Associates Brian Brown, Animas River Task Force, Durango, Colorado Casey Lynch, President, Mountain Waters Rafting Andrew Klotz and /or Gabe Preston RPI Consulting Proieet History_ The City of Durango constructed the Smelter Rapid Boating Park in Whitewater Park in the late 1980's. The Smelter Boating Park was the first of its size and scale in the United States. ht the twenty plus years since in- stream modifications began in Durango, the site has hosted numerous National and International events and it has established Durango's reputation as a whitewater destination. In 2003, the City of Durango Parks and Recreation Department created the Animas River Task Force comprised of community volunteers representing rccreational, commercial, and top level boaters, kayaking, rafting. fishermen and environmentalists. This citizen advocacy group sought to improve in- stream whitewater features in the Animas River. In 2005, the City of Durango contracted with Recreation Engineering and Planning to evaluate potential sites for an improved Durango Boating Park. After considerable public input, it was determined that enhancements to the existing Smelter Boating Park would provide the best alternative for a destination park and play facility while preserving and enhancing the existing slalom facility.