Cedar Valley Paddle Sports Recreation Area
Whitewater - Flatwater - Rodeo - Slalom - Water Trails
While considering this proposal, keep in mind that the establishment of a whitewater course impacts canoeists as well as kayakers and provides a higher quality of life for Cedar Valley residents and visitors to the area. Many canoeists are capable of and do paddle the level of whitewater we propose to create. Paddlers properly equipped will be able to paddle continuously down river without portaging around the dam. In addition, paddling clubs WILL spring up, as they have in other areas, to organize local, state, and national events as well as host clinics to train new paddlers. Other potential populations to benefit from the course will be youth programs, fire-rescue training, vendors and Olympic hopefuls. The Chain of Lakes could be made into a “River (water) Trail” much like the bike trails. But more importantly, we believe these improvements, if done properly, will beautify the river, stabilize the bank, & tie together the entire spectrum of outdoor recreation through shared usage of the site infrastructure while providing a scenic setting for paddlers and non-paddlers to enjoy the river.

This project reflects the Iowa 2010 Goals on how to make Iowa a "vacation destination".

To read a study on what will help attract and keep college educated individuals in the community, read the report titled Competing in the Age of Talent - especially the Executive Summary. .

What is the demand for a whitewater course and who will benefit?

"If we build it, they WILL come". The closest whitewater is 5 to 8 hours from the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area. We don't consider the whitewater course to be just for paddlers. The course will be highly unique and attract several times more pedestrian and bicycle traffic than boaters. The sound of rushing water has a magical affect on one's psyche and we anticipate the course to be the center of activity for bicyclers, skaters, joggers, fishermen, people taking lunch breaks, walkers, etc. On a recent visit to the East Race Whitewater course in South Bend, IN, there were over 100 paddlers and several times more pedestrians watching the activities on the water. A large number of these paddlers drove several hours to get there. At Confluence Park in Denver, CO, there were only 4 paddlers but 50 to 60 pedestrians at any given moment.

There are dozens of whitewater paddlers in Black Hawk county with hundreds more throughout the state. We expect this course to draw paddlers from a 180 mile radius around Waterloo/Cedar Falls.

Local retailers will see increased revenues from the course especially since they are so close to the course. Those catering to paddlers will see a dramatic increase in sales.

The Ocoee Whitewater project in Tennessee exceeded their predicted usage of 60,000 paying participants by 166%. The entire county population surrounding Ocoee is 13,000. South Bend, IN, with a population of approx. 105,000, has an attendance of approx. 15,500 users of their whitewater course. The East Race is only open 16 hours per week for a short summer season.

Design and Cost

Construction entails the creation of a narrow longitudinal rock vane, beginning at the dam and extending 300 m downstream. 300 meters is the minimum course length for slalom events. This narrow rock vane will parallel the shore and create a channel approx. 30 ft. wide. Natural and man-made boulders and grouted boulder piles would be used to create midstream features. Local quarries might consider donating limestone block to build the island or terrace the downstream face of the dam. To maintain the proper flow through the course, the gate or sluice would be open or closed depending on river levels. Our ultimate goal is to install an inverted V-gate or un-gated sluice so paddlers could maneuver from the upper pool through the course without portaging. Cost estimates for the full 300 m course are difficult to establish without an engineer's input. Our plan is to use natural fieldstone and boulders instead of riprap and concrete as much as possible for a more natural and aesthetic appearance. River bank improvements to stabalize and beautify the shore would consist of green spaces, paths and steps for access. We plan to seek donations, grants and other forms of funding. We have many supporters willing to donate their time for construction. Estimated cost is $100,000 excluding the engineer's study and spillway improvements.

Who will be able to use the whitewater area?

Canoeist, kayakers, fisherman, rescue personnel for training, as well as those who just wish to relax to the soothing sound of rushing water.

How will it impact homes upstream?

The course will have no negative impacts on properties upstream or downstream. Water flow through the course can be precisely controlled and have no effect on the upstream pool levels.

How will it impact fishing, boating and current usage both up and downstream?

The whitewater course and riverbank improvements will attract visitors and allow them to be more intimate with the water. The sight of paddlers having fun on the water and people enjoying themselves on the shoreline will send a positive message to others that the river is still ALIVE and useful. There will be no negative impacts on boating or fishing. If a boat chute is installed paddlers will be able to safely bypass the dam without difficult portages that currently repels paddle boaters. The addition of rock vanes and boulders will provide deeper pools and more cover for game fish than is currently present. Virtually no power boating takes place in the areas we propose to modify.

How has the idea been received?

Support has been positive. Kayaking is one of the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation comparable to the boom in indoor climbing gyms such as UNI's climbing wall. We have several hundred signatures in support of the project. Interest from corporate sponsors & paddle sports manufacturers has been strong. Boaters, whom we've spoken with in Colorado, Wisconsin, Indiana, and other areas, have expressed interest in traveling here to paddle the course. There are 4 major kayak retailers in Central Iowa; Shell Rock Hardware, Scheel's in Iowa City, Canoesport in Indianola, and Wayne's Ski & Cycle in Clear Lake. There are several rental locations around the Upper Iowa River for canoes and kayaks as well. Numerous kayakers live in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area that currently travel hundreds of miles for suitable water.

What are the liability concerns?

There are many approaches to the liability issue. The Iowa Legislature has passed a bill reducing a municipality's liability for recreational areas. An example of this is the Skate Park in Cedar Falls. One of the methods to decrease liability from “the course” (the water & low head dam will always be there) will be to “engineer out” the “retained risks” that cause serious accidents. The American White Water Assoc. lists the leading cause of death among boaters (kayaks, rafts & canoes) as; long swims, keeper hydraulics and entrapment under water. These retained risks can be significantly reduced by: Creating eddies for paddlers/swimmers to exit the current, Eliminating cracks or holes on the bottom to reduce the risk of foot entrapments Using man-made or natural obstacles with a low angle of attack that won't pin paddlers or swimmers, Require all paddlers to wear appropriate PFD's & helmets and have proper floatation bags in their boats, Terrace the downstream side of the dam to eliminate the hydraulic at normal water levels…at least in the area immediately adjacent to the course. (Concerning hydraulics, most authorities agree that when the river is out of its banks, all bets are off). Another way to reduce liability is to transfer some of the risk to the end user. The end user should take responsibility for his own actions, for her ability to swim, for his general fitness, for having the appropriate equipment, while acknowledging the assumed risk of all whitewater activity. Membership with a national canoe/kayak association provides additional insurance and the city would listed be as an additional insured. We've kayaked and canoed the Cedar River for many years. Much greater dangers exist on the river every day than those posed by the whitewater course. These dangers include boaters not wearing PFD's, inability to swim, low head dams, downed trees and rebar causing a snag or pinning hazard, unseen underwater structures and inappropriate equipment. Though these hazards exist, they have caused very few problems.

Are special permits required to modify the river?

A DNR Application, Form 36 has been sent in. They have requested an engineer's flow study to be completed. Copies are sent to the Fisheries Dept. and Army Corps. After speaking with the DNR and Fisheries Dept., my opinion is that they are most concerned with river access and effect on fish habitat. The Fisheries Biologist, who DNR gives the most credence, thinks any structure will only improve fish habitat.

Examples of municipalities with whitewater parks.

Confluence Park, Denver, Co. They made a narrow island dividing the river into two channels and used low angle of attack structures to avoid pinning. Their course is very well constructed from mostly natural materials. It attracts boaters, joggers, bicyclists, sunbathers, site seers and people taking work breaks. Flow - 700 cfs. User assumes all risks. Park is unmonitored. No charge. No rental gear on site.

Wausua Whitewater Course, Wausau, WI. Their construction used all natural fill with minimal chocking of voids and little grouting. This course only operates about a dozen times per year since it competes with water needed for power generation. Not much traffic during the off hours. Avg. drop of 1'/100. During hours of operation, they provide minimal staffing. Users are specifically required to provide for their own safety and rescue through the “buddy system”. User fees are charged. No rental gear available on site.

East Race, South Bend, IN. This course is constructed in an old concrete race with artificial structures to direct the current. Their operation is like an amusement park run by the Parks Dept. Users can rent inflatable rafts and kayaks. Rentals include boat, helmet, paddle, and PFD. Users who bring their own boats pay a user fee and must provide their own equipment and are given a proficiency test. Rescue personnel (Park employees) are posted along the course. This course operates 16 hours per week from June 3 to August 20. When not in operation, the area is host to frequent summer events such as bands, food fairs and other community events. It attracts bicyclists, joggers, sunbathers, etc. Avg. drop of 1'/200'. Flow – 3000 cfs

Dickerson Whitewater Course, Dickerson, MD. Similar to East Race. Flow is dependant on power plant operations. Flow – 200 to 600 cfs

Ocoee River a natural river with extensive improvements to the river bed and shoreline for whitewater paddlers and spectators. It hosts many formal competitions and is the site of Olympic try-outs.

Final Note: The aforementioned whitewater courses host numerous amateur and professional competitions that have a huge economic impact for their communities. In addition, local organized paddling clubs have sprung up in those areas who host dozens of paddling clinics, which perpetuates the industry. These paddling clubs also provide the stimulus for organizing events and performing much of the volunteer work during the events and maintenance of the course. Now that several forms of paddling have become Olympic events, the sport will continue to grow. The closest courses are 7 hrs. away in Wausau, WI & South Bend, IN. A professionally designed course has the potential to draw paddlers from 150 miles or more in all directions.

Back