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development in Buena Vista. In my opinion this park has already, and will continue to be, a <br />significant part of Buena Vista's economy. <br />Lower flows at the park aze used, but aze not the attraction that exists at higher flows. At <br />higher flows the park becomes a significant attraction, and functions as it was designed for top <br />level boaters. <br />Use of the Boating Park will occw at many times throughout the boating season. Due to <br />the centralized location and large group of active ]ocal boaters this site is likely to continue <br />hosting major whitewater freestyle events that will encourage visitors to the Town. When flows <br />are adequate, use of the Buena Vista Boating Pazk for a variety of types of boating occurs, <br />including kayaking, canoeing, rafting, inflatable boating, and other such general recreation uses. <br />The park is designed to accommodate all of these users but will see higher use, and therefore <br />more benefit to the community, at the higher end of the flows claimed. <br />Project Design <br />The intent of the design in both boating parks was to transform the existing channel into <br />an azea that has a vaziety of structures and interest to a wide variety of whitewater paddlers and <br />other boaters. The sites were designed to accommodate a vaziety of flows and to have varying <br />characteristics at varying flow levels. <br />The functionality of the courses varies at varying flow ]evels. At lower levels, the <br />courses are navigable and useful as a training facility for entry-level boaters. As the flow <br />increases, the features become more appropriate for top-level boaters. At higher flow levels, the <br />features formed are appropriate for competitions in freestyle and slalom and attract out of town <br />boaters from the surrounding region. Large whitewater events can attract a number of users to <br />the community over an extended time period and can have a significant effect on the economy of <br />the surrounding to�vn. At lower levels fewer paddlers will visit and fewer, if any, competitive <br />events will take place. This is particulazly true in Buena Vista and Salida, which aze surrounded <br />by a number of excellent whitewater rivers. Boaters who would otherwise paddle in these <br />courses will be easily lured to more powerful venues if there is insufficient water in the Arkansas <br />River. <br />The Buena Vista and Salida Boating Pazk designs incorporate a variety of enhancements <br />that aze conducive to whitewater boating. However, the primary control structures that currently <br />exist aze the single "U" structure (the BV hole) in the Buena V ista Boating Pazk and the two "U" <br />Structures (iJpper and Lower) placed in the Boating Park in Salida. All of these features provide <br />a better boating experience at higher flow rates and draw more boaters at those rates. <br />-7- <br />