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The project design is specifically tailored to the environmental characteristics of the Animas <br />River. Communication with local governmental and environmental agencies such as the <br />Division of Wildlife and the Corps of Engineers is imperative to ensure that this project will <br />act to build on the existing characteristics of the Animas River. <br />U- Structures <br />One primary feature for use in flow control and the creation of whitewater features is the U- <br />structure. U- Structures have been the basis for many Recreational In- Channel Diversions <br />(RICD) applications and have been the defining structures in many boating parks in <br />Colorado. These structures have very predictable flow depths, have been proven in water <br />court, several times, to adequately capture, control and divert the river, and have been <br />determined to meet all statutory requirements. The design of these in- stream structures is <br />pertinent to this discussion and explains how the same structure can provide navigable <br />hydraulic features at lower levels and dynamic whitewater features at higher levels while <br />controlling and diverting the flow. <br />The construction of a portion of one of these structures is shown in Figure 7. This feature is <br />used to create a river wide "drop" and can be used to constrict lower flows to increase the <br />velocity and power of the water. By adjusting the gradient of the flow over the U -drop a <br />wave or hydraulic can be formed. The structure also features elevated wings that are <br />positioned along both riverbanks. These wings provide an eddy for easy recirculation to the <br />wave. This structure is also beneficial to the in- stream habitat. The gradient of the drop <br />keeps a pool below the structure scoured and creates a natural habitat for fish and aquatic <br />life. <br />23 <br />