A section of the Roaring Fork River is closed and heavy equipment is in the river in the vicinity of the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Whitewater Park while adjustments to the wave features are made. The park opened during spring runoff 2017 and adjustments were always anticipated.
The Roaring Fork is closed between Fisherman’s Park and just downstream of the park during the in-channel work period 2/12 - 3/15. Signs have been placed above and below the work site.
The whitewater park officially opened just before spring runoff 2017. After the first full boating and fishing season at the park, the public was invited to a feedback session. River engineers from River Restoration, designers of the park, have created modifications that they say will provide a “sneak path” around the main part of the hydraulics of each feature during the highest flow periods.
“We studied the park at different flows from the highest to the lowest and listened to user feedback to come up with adjustments that we think will improve the experience at the park. While the sneak path will offer an alternative route through the wave features we want to make it clear that it is not designed to decrease the skill level and equipment required to pass through the park at runoff flows,” said River Restoration engineer, Quinn Donnelly. “The move needed to make the sneak on river left will require the same skill level it takes to navigate the Roaring Fork River during peak runoff flows,” Donnelly said.
Contact: Lisa MacDonald - Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Administrator - 920-5191.
