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include a large island at the upper end of the reach and numerous boulders, drop features, <br />and deflectors throughout the reach. Currently the upper drop structure, known as <br />"Smelter ", creates a significant drop feature at most flows but only creates a surfing <br />attraction at flows at or above roughly 3000 cfs (1). The second drop structure of interest is <br />"Corner Pocket" featured at the downstream end of the park's dogleg. This feature is largely <br />unusable in its current configuration, but has historically provided a play feature at varying <br />levels. Downstream from the Corner Pocket the channel widens and is characterized by its <br />eddies, mid- stream features, and separated flow. The downstream end of the park is <br />approximately 1675 feet upstream of the ALP project. <br />Just adjacent to the existing park is the City's sewer treatment plant. The City has asked that <br />any improvements not affect the treatment plant's intake at the upstream end of the existing <br />in- stream improvements. Additionally, any improvements at this site are not expected to <br />affect current or future operations at the plant. <br />There is adequate drop and flow in this area to meet all requirements and needs for a boating <br />park and to meet the CWCB's power index requirements. Additionally, the slope in this <br />reach is greater than 0.5 %. <br />There are many advantages to developing this site including historical use, significant <br />physical characteristics, and the significant amount of investment that has already been made <br />into the site. Improvements could be made at this site that augment the current <br />improvements, prevent further erosion, and create a signature play feature that would <br />establish the park's reputation as a freestyle destination. These improvements could also be <br />designed to enhance the shoulder season /winter season paddling experience to provide for <br />local development and training. <br />Geomorphic conditions at Smelter <br />Human impact on the floodplain in the Animas River watershed has been significant, <br />particularly in the modern active flood plains. It is estimated from the geomorphic mapping <br />,1 <br />