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<br />000401 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />After the two forks of the South Platte join (site of proposed Two <br /> <br />Forks Dam), the river cuts through Waterton Canyon before reaching the <br /> <br />plains. Waterton is a technically difficult stretch of whitewater run by <br /> <br />expert kayakers and canoeists in single-person whitewater(decked) boats <br /> <br />only. At this time it receives only slight use (50 user-days), though with <br /> <br />its close proximity to Denver and more and more proficient boaters in the <br /> <br />area the potential for use is very much higher and can be expected to <br /> <br />increase considerably. <br /> <br />After Waterton Canyon and Chatfield Reservoir, the South Platte flows <br /> <br />through Denver and its suburbs, where it supports an estimated 1500 user-days, <br /> <br />most of which now ~ake place at Confluence Park where Cherry Creek joins <br /> <br />the Platte in downtown Denver. (Confluence Park is the site of a slalom <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />course where kayakers and canoeists can be seen ten months of the year <br /> <br />training for races or working at perfecting their skills.) Much of the <br /> <br />Platte through Denver is being developed as a waterway and use will grow <br /> <br />dramatically as the river becomes more suited for boater use by the large <br /> <br />population nearby. <br /> <br />North of Denver, use on the South Platte slows, as does the current, <br /> <br />and the river becomes suitable for open canoes. This use occurs on the <br /> <br />stretch from Fort Lupton to Fort Morgan with a concentration of use around <br />. <br /> <br />Greeley. The season is long, from April to October (excepting possible <br /> <br />low water due to irrigation demands). Only moderate growth is expected for <br /> <br />this part of the Platte in the future, because open canoeing isn't growing <br /> <br />in popularity with rafting or kayaking, and this stretch is too placid for <br /> <br />whitewater enthusiasts. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />-20- <br />