How To Spend $278 Million

Apparently Kentucky is loaded. On Thursday, November 2, 2006 Governor Ernie Fletcher announced that General Fund revenue for the current fiscal year is coming in higher than originally projected and is expected to exceed budgeted levels at the end of the fiscal year.

The current estimate anticipates an extra $279 million. So, how should we spend it? I know how I would spend it.


Take The Survey
The last day to participate in the survey is January 25, 2006

Reno Whitewater Park Webcam

See what's happening right this moment down at the Truckee River Whitewater Park in Reno, Nevada.

Grants Being Sought by City for Whitewater, Trails

From the Friday, December 15, 2006 Kentucky Standard

By Bob White

Bardstown will send a representative to Elizabethtown Thursday to learn more about grants to aid the Beech Fork whitewater park project and trail projects being considered for implementation.

During Tuesday's Bardstown City Council meeting City Administrator Larry Green informed city leaders of two federal grants being offered through the Governor's Office of Local Development.

The funds being offered could be used to improve the riverbank of Beech Fork at the old rock dam near U.U. 31E bridge where a whitewater feature has been proposed.

"It won't help with the rebuilding of the dam, but it may be useful in building a trail to the river," Green said.

Green said funding could also be used for a connector trail between Beech Fork and Bardstown Community Park.

More information about the Land and Water Conservation Funds and the Recreational Trails grants will be learned during a Thursday meeting at the Lincoln Trail Area Development District office in Elizabethtown, Green said.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund offers 50-50 matching grants of $5,000 to $50,000. The average amount awarded to applicant communities in Kentucky last year was $39,951, according to Samantha Cool, Public Information Officer for the Governor's Office of Local Development.

Another project Land and Water Conservation Funds could be used for is disc-golf, Cook said.

"We have funded several of those in recent years," she said.

A committee of local tourism officials and local disc-golfers recently began looking for a place to construct a disc-gold course near Bardstown.

The Recreational Trails grant offers sums of between $2,500 and $100,000 to communities for trail projects.

Recreational Trails grants also require matching funds from the applicants, but the percentage of matching funds varies.

The average amount awarded to applicant communities for Recreational Trails funds last year was $30,565, Cook said.

Recreational Trails awards could also be applied to the whitewater feature construction Cook said, since the Recreational Trails program make funds available for water-trails.

Cook described the projects being talked about in Bardstown as "very interesting."

Possible Grant Money for WW Park

Some information has surfaced on one of two grants that have been discovered by Assistant City Administrator, Larry Green, which could be applied to the Bardstown Whitewater Park.

The Recreational Trails grant offers sums of between $2,500 and $100,000 to communities for trail projects. Recreational Trails grants require matching funds from the applicants, but the percentage of matching funds varies.

There is a direct connection between local recreational facilities and public health.  The Recreational Trails Program benefits communities, and enhances quality of life.

-From the Governor's Office for Local Development website.

According to Samantha Cook, Public Information Officer for the Governor’s Office of Local Development, the average amount awarded to applicant communities for Recreational Trails funds last year was $30,565. Recreational Trails awards could be applied to the whitewater feature construction since the Recreational Trails program makes funds available for water-trails.

At this Coalition for Recreational Trails website you can search a database to see how this grant has been used in the past.

Good Luck, Bob

Bardstown's most outspoken proponent for outdoor recreational and environmental causes is moving on to a sister newspaper in Elizabethtown. Bob White has covered the Bardstown Boaters greatest accomplishments over the past 2 years in our local press, and in doing so has helped us grow our efforts more than we ever could have imagined.

While there may be pretty buildings, whitewater and better economics in the future for this town, the people and their attitudes and approach to others is what will make Nelson County a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

-Bob White

Thanks for your support Bob and good luck in Elizabethtown. We'll see you on the water!

Kentucky Standard News Article - Discussion

National River Cleanup Week 2007

The Bardstown Boaters Annual Paddle Pickup will be held on June 9th, 2007.

Dear River Lover,

Last May, you and hundreds of other people led an estimated 60,000 thousand volunteers in cleaning up over 1,000 tons of trash from 100,000 miles of rivers and streams across America. Thank you for making the 2006 National River Cleanup Week the most successful yet!

Now is the time to gear up for next year's event. After 15 years, our good friends at America Outdoors have asked us to take over the reins of National River Cleanup Week.

As the nation's leading advocate for healthy rivers since 1973, American Rivers is excited to expand this popular and successful river protection program to even more watersheds, in many more communities.

Get details about next year's National River Cleanup Week (June 2-10, 2007) by reading the press release below or by visiting the new and improved website: www.nationalrivercleanup.org.

We hope you will continue your participation by registering your cleanup today! Remember, when we all pitch in, America's rivers win.

Clean Streams Forever!

ROB PERKS
Senior Director for Outreach
www.AmericanRivers.org

American Rivers Organizing Nationwide Cleanups

National River Cleanup Week (June 2-10, 2007)

Presented by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

Volunteers Wanted: www.NationalRiverCleanup.org

WASHINGTON, DC – Millions of tons of trash wind up in our nation’s rivers and streams every year, and American Rivers is harnessing the environmental passion and community pride of thousands of people to do something about it. The nation’s leading river advocacy organization is encouraging citizens to take part in National River Cleanup Week, presented by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and set for June 2-10, 2007.

This annual event, which kicks off a series of cleanups across the country, falls during National River Awareness Month next year.

Since its inception by America Outdoors in 1992, National River Cleanup Week has helped to raise public awareness of the magnitude of trash accumulating in our nation’s waterways. Over the years more than 500,000 volunteers have participated in over 4,500 cleanups across the country, covering more than 100,000 miles of waterways. This past spring saw a record 422 cleanups, with an estimated 60,000 volunteers removing trash from their local rivers and streams.

“A healthy river is a valuable asset to any community, and we’re encouraging everyone to be a part of a program that has removed over 1,000 tons of litter and debris from beloved rivers and streams all over the nation,” said Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers. “A cleaner river is a healthier one, and healthy rivers benefit all the communities through which they flow.”

Not just a worthy cause, the cleanups also are fun for everyone. That explains why so many environmental organizations, civic clubs, paddle-sports groups, federal and state agencies, and schools organize these events in their local communities.

“You can’t find a more hands-on way to get people directly involved in protecting the rivers they love,” added Wodder.

Anyone wishing to organize a cleanup can do so by first identifying a stretch of river, stream or shoreline, and then registering the event online. The website offers helpful tips for conducting a successful cleanup, including how to recruit volunteers and promote the event to the public. American Rivers supplies trash bags for every cleanup. To register a cleanup or volunteer to participate, visit: www.nationalrivercleanup.org.

As part of its support, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is offering a free coffee mug and coffee sample to organizers who register their cleanup online by April 15, 2007. Corporate sponsors – including Old Town Canoes and Kayaks, Perception kayaks, Wilderness Systems, and Thule car racks – are providing free prizes to lucky volunteers who win various contests (best photo, video, publicity, and student essay).

###

Founded in 1973, American Rivers is a national non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring healthy natural rivers for the benefit of people, wildlife and nature. American Rivers has over 65,000 supporters nationwide, with offices in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, California and Northwest regions. www.AmericanRivers.org.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is dedicated to providing the richest aroma and flavor, for the highest quality coffee experience. Green Mountain Coffee travels the globe to purchase the finest coffees, batch roast them to peak flavor, and vacuum package them fresh for your enjoyment. www.greenmountaincoffee.com

An Inconvenient Truth

On Tuesday I attended a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show where she had Al Gore as her guest. He was presenting information from his documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Now I don't know how much stock I take into this film and the way it portrays the Earth's climactic demise, but I do certainly believe we as human being need to reduce our carbon dioxide output.

Here are 5 things we can all do to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions.

Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb
CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. If every family in the U.S. made the switch, we’d reduce carbon dioxide by more than 90 billion pounds! You can purchase CFLs online from the Energy Federation.

Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer
Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has more tips for saving energy on heating and cooling.

Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner
Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket
You’ll save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple action. You can save another 550 pounds per year by setting the thermostat no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plant a tree
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership.

For more ways to save energy and reduce your impact visit: www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/

Year In Review

By Jay Thomas

Now in the final days of the 2006th year following the first Christmas I look back at the last 350+ days and remember the exciting, adventurous, and communal times spent on and around the waterways of the southern US. I recollect the joys of planning the logistics of a trip; the initial idea of when and where to go, who to bring along, what to pack, where to stay, how to get there, and what to expect. I remember the excitement of the new places I visited this year. I reflect on the social times of bringing along friends and acquaintances to the wonderful places that I had experienced before, and watching them enjoy it, sometimes as much as me.

I feel proud of the work that we have done as a group for the community. The club has gained members and we have all gained friends by showing others that they are not alone in their love for the water and outdoors. We have also proven to the community that we care about the current and future state of our waterways by hosting the second successful Paddle Pickup. Furthermore, we have worked hard to demonstrate the potential of Beech Fork River for local and regional recreation with the push to construct the Bardstown Whitewater Park. I cannot imagine belonging to a more enthusiastic and committed group. I see the Bardstown Boaters continuing the successes of our past and growing on the very enthusiasm and commitment that brings us together.

I must mention my favorite trips of the year:

1. Number one must be my bachelor trip to the Big South Fork.

2. My first trip down the Ocoee. For a long time I had been looking forward to when I would finally have the skill to hit the Ocoee.

3. First miles of the Sheltowee Trace.

4. Paddle Pickup 2006

What are your favorites of the year?

Bardstown Whitewater Park Donations

We are getting close to our goal of raising $2200 so the process of getting a site assessment for the Beech Fork Bardstown Whitewater Park can begin. To find out more visit the Whitewater Park page.

Only $300 left to go!

or mail to:

Bardstown Whitewater Park
200 Big Eddy Road
Frankfort, KY 40601

Big South Fork Canyon - Thanksgiving

SOUTH FK CUMBERLAND RIVER AT LEATHERWOOD FORD, TN: 750cfs

Pictures

Josh, Jay and I met up at the Canyon on Saturday for 2 great runs on a warm Saturday in November. Mike Goodman and Mike Brady ran the gorge and we saw them at the bridge, but other than that I was very surprised that no one else was out there paddling this day. We did have a crowd of 4-wheelers at the bridge to watch us run the last rapid of the day. The water was very cold, but it was around 65 degrees so it was a very nice day to be out there.

Josh has a trip report and pictures on his new blog at riveraddict.blogspot.com.

Mike Brady has trip report as well at the Viking Canoe Club forum.

Rio Grande in 2007

The little-known stretch of the Rio Grande just downriver from Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas, showcases the riverine glories of the desert Southwest: twisting slot canyons, fortresslike bluffs, hot springs, and sporty rapids. Better still, expeditioners here can often paddle for a week to ten days without encountering another party. For more info visit National Geographic.

John Mathews and I are planning on going back to the Rio Grande in March of next year. Zach Nelson, Kenny Thomas, John Mathews and Jay Thomas went to the Rio Grande in March of 2005. I separated my shoulder the night before the big trip and was unable to go. Kenny took my spot at the last minute.

So this time I vow to to undergo no injuries and finally get back to this great expedition river run that I greatly missed the first time.

Right now I am penciling in March 3rd through the 11th as the dates for the trip. This would leave 2 travel days, the first Saturday and the last Sunday. The other 7 days would be spent running the class II-III 80+ miles of the Lower Rio Grande. I am thinking of flying in to Midland Texas, then renting gear and a shuttle in Texas.

American Whitewater's Reach
Daily Report: PDF (between 3.5 and 4.5 feet, at Dryden, ideal.

Let me know if you want to go!

The Way of the Whitewater Park

In the last decade communities have managed to build dozens of whitewater play parks and slalom training courses, often overcoming a force as indecipherable as nature herself, if not nearly so benign: local bureaucracy. Artificial whitewater courses are popping up across the country, in traditional whitewater towns like Salida, Colo., and less likely locales such as Fort Worth, Texas, and Charlotte, N.C. You can spin and blunt on engineered rapids in Green River, Wyo., and Ogden, Utah, and challenge your slalom skills on a world-class training facility outside of Washington, D.C.

Whether the project is a single play feature added to an existing stream, a diverted channel or a completely self-contained artificial river surrounded by a stadium, artificial courses across the United States are providing local communities with new recreation opportunities.

Judging from the precedent of other outdoor sports, whitewater parks could help fuel a paddling boom. Olympic paddler-turned-course designer Scott Shipley envisions consumers “taking whitewater for a test drive” on artificial courses complete with moveable obstacles and adjustable play features. With the advent of indoor climbing gyms, a new generation of convenience-oriented enthusiasts is now a mainstay of the outdoor sports community.

Established boaters salivate at the thought of quality year-round whitewater just minutes from home or work. While all paddlers can appreciate a convenient spot to paddle for fun and fitness, few hear about the behind-the-scenes wrangling needed to secure permits, water rights and money to bring these water parks to life. With prices ranging from the tens of thousands to the tens of millions, the success of a whitewater park often relies on being able to fund its design and construction.

Truckee River, Reno, Nevada

The country’s best-publicized whitewater park, Reno, Nev., is redefining the whitewater destination. “It’s a true source of pride,” Reno resident and 2003 world freestyle kayaking champion Jay Kincaid says of Winfield Park’s $1.5 million whitewater course, which includes walking paths and sitting areas.

The park’s multiple channels offer something for every paddler, from rodeo boaters to slalom racers and beginners. World-class paddlers convened at this park in May of last year for the invitation-only Grand Opening—an event that was held during drought flows and in which hometown favorite Kincaid narrowly bested current World Champion Eric Jackson. Though the course has yet to see the average 2,000cfs spring flows it was designed for, 30,000 people visited the three-day festival, and the local inner tube concessionaire rang up 10,000 rentals during one three-month period.

Despite its success, the whitewater course was a huge gamble, even by Reno standards. “We’d secured funding through a statewide municipal bond, but we’d planned to start construction before the funds would be available, forcing us to face the possibility of having to wait an entire year,” says project manager Jim Litchfield. “We asked the owners of two large hotel casinos, Harrah’s of Reno and The Eldorado, to each provide a bridge loan of $500,000, interest free and unsecured.”

Remarkably, the casinos each wagered a half-million dollars that the course would be a success. The Reno city council also put up $500,000 to show its commitment to the project. The gamble paid off. “I don’t know if I could ever accurately portray our stress through this period,” says Litchfield.


Clear Creek, Golden, Colorado

The Clear Creek Whitewater Park in Golden, Colo., has become a centerpiece for the picturesque mountain town, a source of municipal pride and—most importantly for the development of whitewater parks nationwide—an economic catalyst. Built at an initial cost of $165,000, economic projections have the park bringing the town more than $1.4 million every year. That figure has inspired local governments in Colorado and beyond to pursue whitewater parks of their own.

But the Golden course set more than just a profitability precedent. It also has shaped the water-rights landscape in a part of the country where water rights traditionally have flowed to ranches.

Although whitewater parks don’t consume water, they do require water to flow downstream. To agricultural interests who count on holding scarce water resources in reservoirs, letting water flow downhill for something as frivolous as kayaking is a major threat (see sidebar). In 2001, Golden went to the Colorado Supreme Court to win guaranteed water releases for its whitewater park. “That decision was the big breakthrough, and Golden has shouldered the burden since as the lightning rod for subsequent water rights cases,” says Glenn Porzak, who has represented several Colorado cities in similar court cases. Golden, Vail and Breckenridge all have prevailed in court cases asking for recreational water releases. Gunnison’s case is in the courts now, and Steamboat Springs and Salida each have cases that are likely to go to trial. “A municipality’s strongest argument is that the use is non-consumptive and beneficial to the community,” Porzak says.

The State opposed the City’s recreational water demands because it considered the requested flows “excessive and unreasonable,” says Colorado Water Conservation Board lawyer Ted Kowalski. “The State is not against recreation. But we don’t know how to define a specific flow level as ‘reasonable’ according to the law on a course that’s going to be engineered anyway.”


Gore Creek, Vail, Colorado

Vail, Colo., is no stranger to whitewater, but until 2002, whitewater events such as the Teva Mountain Games were held on the Eagle River outside of town. Tourism is the lifeblood of Vail’s ski-town economy, and town planners recognized the value of positioning an outdoor-sports event in the downtown business district, particularly one that can draw visitors long after the snow melts from the ski slopes.

Early in 2002, the Vail Valley Chamber and Tourism Bureau proposed modifying Gore Creek so that freestyle paddling events could take place in the heart of Vail Village. They commissioned a design that provided high-quality whitewater without looking man-made. With the backing of tourism bureau, the $130,000 project was completed in a matter of months. The park has since played host to the most aggressively promoted annual freestyle competition in the country, part of the Teva Mountain Games.

The Vail park has had a dramatic effect on an otherwise winter-based town. Despite the park’s short season, pre-construction studies projected more than $1 million per year into the local economy. Tourists can watch paddlers in action, and local boaters—while not flocking to the artificial creation when Colorado’s natural whitewater is running—give it a solid workout daily.

The park does, however, point out the hubris of trying to improve upon nature. Sedimentation from the yearly cycle of high water often neutralizes man-made features, requiring periodic maintenance. Sediment has already affected two of Vail’s features. The town is currently looking at ways to re-engineer the project, says Ian Anderson of the Vail Valley Chamber & Tourism Bureau. “We compromised too much of the project for aesthetics,” says Anderson, also an avid paddler. “With proper planning venues can be built to be both structurally sound and aesthetic.”


Upper Ocoee: An Olympian Effort

When the Ocoee River was tapped to host the 1996 Olympic slalom competition, engineers, led by John Anderson and Rick McLaughlin, converted the shallow shoals above the traditional put-in into one of the world’s premier slalom courses. The $7.7 million facelift to the river bed—plus more for a visitor’s center and other amenities—also created some excellent play spots, including the challenging hole above the aptly named drop Humongous.

Olympic organizers came to the U.S. Forest Service, which manages the Ocoee, with exacting requirements. “The course had to fit into the environment, it had to be a world-class venue, and if it cracked one-eight of an inch we were done, as it needed to withstand periodic flooding of 30,000 cfs or more,” says Paul Wright, who managed the project for the U.S. Forest Service. On top of all that, it couldn’t cost the Atlanta Olympic organizers a dime.

U.S. wildwater team member David Jones and others rallied unprecedented political momentum, forcing the Forest Service to foot the construction costs and the Tennessee Valley Authority to supply the water. The cost savings allowed Atlanta organizers to sweeten their bid, and the slalom course became a key element in bringing the 1996 Olympics to Atlanta.

The race course and the Olympic slalom competition were both unqualified successes, but four days after the Olympic torch went out, the team that designed and built the course was reassigned. "The Forest Service was tired of dealing with it," Wright says. In the years after the Olympics the TVA allowed only 10 to 20 releases per year, based on a burdensome fee system.

The last great slalom event planned on the Upper Ocoee, the 2001 Whitewater Slalom World Championships, was cancelled in the wake of Sept. 11. With infrequent releases and world-class play five miles downstream at Hell Hole, the Ocoee park has never established itself as a river-running and playboating attraction. The natural river section just downstream (popularly known as the Lower Ocoee, though technically the Middle Ocoee) hosts thousands of rafters every summer weekend.

Local outfitters and American Whitewater successfully resolved a seven-year effort to secure 54 releases each year on the Upper Ocoee in 2003 which will last for at least the next 15 years. Thanks to these releases, raft trips and non-commercial paddlers are enjoying the Upper Ocoee, and the venue once again has a chance to realize the potential shown during the 1996 Olympics.

Dayton WW Park Idea May Return

From the Dayton Daily News
By Ken McCall

October 26th, 2006

The disappointment in the paddling community was thick last week when a study found the proposed white-water park on the Great Miami River was too expensive.

The Miami Conservancy District and Five Rivers MetroParks wanted to build a white-water play facility that would also give less experienced paddlers a safe way to get around the low dam near the Monument Avenue bridge.

But the study found the park cost would total close to $10 million. That was too much, the agencies decided, and the proposal has been scrapped.

Interviews with folks from the two agencies and the community found spirits to be running at low ebb last week. But the people involved are regrouping and looking for other ideas.

Carrie Scarff, the park district's point person on the white-water park, said she's feeling better.

"You recover from the disappointment," Scarff said Thursday, "and you start to think of the other opportunities that are out there."

Scarff said the park and conservancy districts won't be considering another big white-water attraction, but they still want to create "fun places to paddle" on the region's rivers.

"If there's a place like where we can add some rock to the river and enhance spots that already exist or create other spots or provide eddies, we're going to look for opportunities to do that," she said.

The top priority, however, is creating ways for people in kayaks and canoes to get around the low dams. The two districts, she said, want to make the rivers as easy to travel as the bikeways that run along them.

So they're going to look at fixing the dangerous dams, creating places to park, to put in and take out boats, and even some remote camping spots in the parks along the rivers.

"Whether you're taking a daylong trip, an expedition or a quick trip down our rivers, we want people to see the rivers as a great recreational asset," she said.

Whitewater Warehouse co-owners Bernie Farley and Jeryl Yantis said they were deeply disappointed by the high cost of the proposed park.

But they say the decision to abandon the proposal was responsible and predict it will lead to an even better project.

The shop, located on Valley Street along the Mad River in Old North Dayton, sells and rents kayaks and equipment, and offers training events on the Mad and other rivers.

Farley said he'll be pushing another proposal soon.

"I've traveled around the country and have been to several white-water parks," Farley said. "If we don't do it, I guarantee you someone else will."

People currently rent equipment, he said, and drive up to six hours to boat on a white-water park in South Bend, Ind., or on rivers in West Virginia, so he's sure the demand is there.

Miami Conservancy District General Manager Janet Bly said the community showed enthusiasm for the project in public meetings, but she said the agencies need to be more creative.

"The conceived project was a great idea," Bly said, "and we just need to come up with something that's just as great only costs less."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2393 or kmccall@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Recounting Mount Taranaki

Back in March of 2004 I spent some time in New Zealand. Our recent Red River Gorge hike got me thinking about some of my New Zealand adventures. Climbing Mt. Taranaki was one of them.

Dominating the regions landscape from every conceivable angle, the picturesque Mount Taranaki is the North Island’s second highest mountain, and The Egmont National Park is New Zealand’s second oldest National Park. Mount Taranaki was used as a backdrop for 2003’s epic movie “The Last Samurai”.

• My trip report from March 28th, 2004

Red River Gorge Hike

Red River: 50cfs

Jay and I met up with his brothers, Bill and John and the four of us headed out into the gorge to try and hike all the way to the Red River narrows where the hardest rapids of the whitewater run are. We were unsure of any trails that existed past Clifty Creek, but we would try to stick to the river and see how close we could get.

We didn't make it. After Clifty Creek the trail turns into a small road, about the size for a 4 wheeler. After the very next creek it begins to wind up the cliff away from the river, then it begins to turn back on it's self and head the opposite direction we wanted to go. It was at this point that we gave up this trail. We couldn't find much of any other kind of trail that kept by the river so we opted to head to Clifty Creek and setup camp.

We had great weather, great if you like to take on all the elements, cold rain the first day followed by just the cold the 2nd. Personally I was glad to be out hiking and camping in this stuff. We had the gear for it. We a had a good fire. It was a whole lot of fun and the scenery was beautiful. I love the Red River Gorge.

Also 50cfs would be very low and any canoe would scrape in many places along the river, BUT it is certainly doable for a canoe to make it down the river. And it may be the best way to see all the great scenery within the narrows.

So look for us next Spring to go back, this time by boat even at a low water level, for another overnight trip into the Gorge.

Also on the way back home we stopped at the Pilots Knob State Nature Preserve and climbed to the top of Pilots Knob where there are some great views of the Bluegrass. We could see Lexington in distance some 35 miles away. It was a very cool side hike outside of Clay City.

Another great trip!

• pictures

Alternative Sports Groups Continue

The entire article can be found at the Kentucky Standard.

--------------

Bardstown Boaters, a group of local whitewater enthusiasts, first proposed the project and have since compiled a preliminary informational package for local officials to review.

Fund-raising efforts to generate funding necessary to hire a design firm to compile a formal study of the whitewater park began Sept. 30 with a paddlers poker run on Beech Fork which raised almost $1,000.

Spalding Hurst, Bardstown Boaters president, said in a recent interview that local businesses were also being solicited for donations to fund the $6,700 cost of hiring a design firm for the preliminary studies.

Dawn Ballard, Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist and Convention Commission vice-president, said the next step for the whitewater committee would be solicitation of Bardstown City Council and tourism officials to request matching funds for the hiring of a design firm.

That meeting of whitewater proponents and public officials was delayed until after Election Day.

The work to be done by the design firm is a must-do before definite plans for the whitewater park and possible raising of the rock dam can continue, according to Bardstown City Administrator Larry Green.

He began researching available funding for the whitewater park and dam work and said state and federal agencies require professional designs and cost estimates prior to earmarking funds for a project like a whitewater park.

Whitewater parks throughout the nation, similar to what is planned for Beech Fork, range in cost from $140,000 to about $2 million.

Bardstown Election Results

Heaton wins nod for Bardstown Mayor - Kentucky Standard

Election 2006 provides pundits with plenty of surprises - Nelson County Gazette

About the City Council

Bardstown Mayor
• Dick Heaton - 1,528 Votes - 55%
Dixie Hibbs - 1,130 Votes - 40%
Steven Wimsatt - 152 Votes - 5%

Bardstown Council
• Tommy Reed - 2,047 Votes - 16%
• Robert Simpson - 2,000 Votes - 15%
• Francis Lydian - 1,869 Votes - 14%
• Bill Sheckles - 1,822 - 14%
• Fred Hagen - 1,763 - 13%
• John Royalty - 1,464 - 11%
Joseph Hicks - 1,122 - 9%
Rick Molyneaux - 1,089 - 8%

Precincts reporting: 12 of 12 (100%)
• Winner

The Nelson County Gazette

I just ran across a very interesting website that I had not known existed. The Nelson County Gazette, an enhanced weblog that examines news, politics and life in and around Nelson County. They go by the slogan "Freedom of the press belongs to the man who owns one." So far I have found the site quite interesting. I have included some links to articles that may be of some interest to us boaters.

Meeting attendees cuss, discuss city environmental issues

Two canoeists safe after getting lost on flooded Beech Fork

Elkhorn at 4,500cfs?

Elkhorn Creek, Kentucky
4,500cfs

I don't really know what the level was, the gauge got hung up the night before somewhere around 5,500cfs. But I would guess the level to be around 4,500cfs. The only concern was the dam. But the dam wasn't that bad to portage. Just go to the left as you always do and go one by one. The rocks you normally step on the get out are just below you and you get out on top of them.

Even with GAF and the Rendezvous going on this weekend there was still a good crowd running the Elkhorn this day. The weather was pretty good and the Elkhorn was running so of course I had to get on it. I had never been on it this high. 3,500cfs was my high before this. It was actually pretty washed out at this level. The water moves fast, you don't even need to paddle.

I ran it with Josh and we found a couple of good play spots at the end. We spent most of the time there surfing and pretty much bombed the rest. It didn't take long to do. I have now ran the Elkhorn 13 times this year. You gotta love home court.

Pictures of the Elkhorn at higher water: one | two | three | four

The ASCI Looks Very Interesting

Adventure Sports Center International (asci) is home to the world’s only mountain-top whitewater course and to a diverse array of adventure sports opportunities.

This whitewater park is set to open the Spring of 2007 on the summit of Marsh Mountain in McHenry, Maryland. McHenry is 3 hours from the Washington, DC area, 2 hours from Pittsburgh, and within a 3 hour drive for over 26 million people.

The asci whitewater course is just over 1700 feet long and drops 24 feet. Pumps lift water from the lower pond and shoot it out horizontally into the start pool at a speed of 5 feet per second. At five locations on the course are variable wave shapers that allow asci to adjust the waves and hydraulics to fit the needs and desires of the guests.

• Adventure Sports Center International
• Pictures

Paddlers to Race Kentucky Gorge

SAMIRA JAFARI

Associated Press

ELKHORN CITY, Ky. - Gerald DeLong has paddled whitewater rapids across the country for nearly 30 years, but it's an eastern Kentucky river that courses through his veins.

Like the thousands of others who have kayaked, canoed and rafted their way down the Russell Fork River, a 15-mile stretch of water from Virginia to Kentucky, DeLong finds its rocky twists, turns and treacherous gorge irresistible.

"You just have to love the water," said Delong, 50, of Elkhorn City, taking a break from a chilly morning kayaking trip to catch his breath and munch on salmon slices.
DeLong, known as the "Father of the Fork" to some, and his son, Matthew, will join about 500 others for this weekend's Russell Fork Rendezvous, an annual festival celebrating the river's natural obstacles and the last high water of the season.

About a dozen, including 26-year-old Matthew, will enter the Lord of the Fork race - a high-speed trek propelling kayakers around the four-mile gorge, taunting them with jagged rocks, powerful waves and narrow outlets.

For whitewater enthusiasts, it's the best time of the year to run the Russell Fork. Each weekend in October, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases the dam at the Pound River in Virginia to bring water levels down for the winter.

Spilling nearly three times as much water downstream across the Kentucky state line into the Russell Fork, the result is four weekends of faster, higher waters that draw paddlers as far as Europe and Australia.

"They come from all over the country, the world, to paddle this river in October," said festival organizer Steve Ruth. "We draw the upper echelon of kayakers in October."
Moe Kelleher, 21, traveled from his native Ireland just to participate in the Lord of the Fork race. His buddy, Dave Finney, 23, of Roanoke, Va., will join him, hoping to get through the gorge without any flip-overs, cuts or broken bones.

"I just close my eyes the whole way down," Finney laughed after finishing a recent practice run.

While the river ranges from milder difficulty levels, the gorge's obstructed, turbulent rapids, steep drops and congested chutes have earned it a Class 5 label by expert boaters.

Typically, Class 5 rapids are meant for only the most experienced of paddlers who have the endurance and skill to maneuver such dangerous waterways, according to American Whitewater. The North Carolina-based environmental group recognized for its expertise in paddling and safety has marked some 45 rapids nationwide as Class 5.
While some whitewater veterans, like Gerald DeLong and Ruth, have crossed the gorge at their own pace, they refuse to race it.

"You have to get your mind set for it," said Ruth, before adding with a laugh, "Only crazy people race."

The heightened momentum of the Lord of the Fork competition, named after Jon Lord, who drowned in a kayaking accident at the river in January 2004, splits the best into racers and non-racers.

Daniel Helbert, 21, of Coeburn, Va., said the key is to "become one with the river," before actually racing the gorge. Helbert, who has paddled other Class 5 rapids in West Virginia and Tennessee, said he'd probably be ready to enter the Lord of the Fork next year.

"I want to get used to these high water levels," Helbert said. "It's very intense in places."

For Sara Martin, the allure of Russell Fork in autumn is less about competition than nostalgia. This is where Martin's future husband took her on their first date, where he proposed marriage and where they had their wedding.

"This is our home away from home," said Martin, 27, of Canton, N.C. "To me it's a very spiritual experience here. ... You have to respect this river."

ON THE NET
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/breaking_news/15830033.htm
Russell Fork River at http://www.russellfork.info

Red River Gorge

• Level: 150cfs
• Red River Near Hazel Green
• Pictures

On this Saturday Jay and I finally made our long awaited run down the Red River Gorge. We were the only paddlers on this stretch this day as the level was a bit on the low side. But for our fist run this just what we wanted. A low level, so we could test the gorge and see what it is all about. And beauty is what it's all about.

This certainly is a scenic run and you can see it in the pictures. But I can also see how the difficulty of this run increases dramatically as the water rises.

The drive to the put in and time for setting up the shuttle is long. There is a designated put-in just a mile up stream from 746. The first 3 to 4 miles are easy class I rapids. The scenery through all of it is awesome. Especially when you come upon a huge rock amphitheater. At this point you are getting lose to the first real rapids.

I would call everything a III- or II+ at our level Saturday. Around mile 4 the first rapid, Entrance Rapid, is encountered. No problems here. After that is more flat class I water. The next is the falls, a river wide ledge, the center looks to be the best route at higher water. After that is even more flater water. We were starting to wonder if there would even be any more rapids, but soon they came.

Next you really enter the gorge as the walls tighten and bigger boulders lie in the river. The rapids come one after the other now and these could be mean at high water, but at our level they were no problem. You do how ever have to watch out for trees at all times. I accidentally rolled in some squirly water right undera tree I was trying to avoid.

Once you start seeing hikers and campers you know you are getting closer to the park. There are some more class II rapids then some flat water and the bridge at 715.

The run is 10.8 miles and it took us 4 hours to paddle it. We left home at 8am and were home by 8pm. You gotta love those home court whitewater runs. I sure do and I especially love this one. This may make a perfect overnight trip with some experienced paddlers when the water is just right.

I have been eyeing the gorge for 2 years. Hopefully it won't be that long until I'm back.

Capsized Canoeists Rescued from Salt

By Robin Bass
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 12:35 PM EDT
from The Spencer Magnet

What started out as a pleasant trip down the Salt River ended abruptly last Tuesday when several canoes tipped over spilling three adults and five children into the cold rushing water.

"Up until that moment, we were having a great time," said Ty Neal, who brought along his wife and two daughters for the trip.

Eleven people in all had decided to spend the afternoon on the river after renting canoes from Salt River Outfitters. The plan was to launch from the tailwaters at Taylorsville Lake Dam and end their trip at the rental shop on East River Road.

"They told us the water was up and we needed to use good judgement," said Neal.

But all agreed no one could have known what lay ahead.

Brett Beaverson said that he and his twelve-year-old daughter Hannah were about four minutes down river of the others and were the first to encounter a fallen tree spanning the width of the river. The pair attempted to slip through a narrow opening, but the swift current didn't allow them enough time to execute the maneuver.

"My head hit a branch. We wobbled and went over," said Hannah.

After making sure his daughter was okay, Beaverson began yelling warnings to the approaching canoes.

"I was yelling up river '9-1-1' and 'Get on the shore,'" he said.

While they waited, clinging to branches from the tree, Beaverson said he and Hannah began to pray. "We prayed for the babies coming down the river, because we knew what was coming," recalled Beaverson as tears formed in his eyes.

Just upriver the remaining canoe party, containing three more adults and six children ranging in ages from 7 to 13, were fast approaching.

"We heard people screaming and we didn't know what was going on," said Tatum Neal, 8, one of Ty Neal's daughters.

When the group became aware of their dilemma, some tried to get around the tree while others attempted to get their canoes to the riverbanks.

Three managed to get safely to shore and make the call for help, while the rest were flipped over by the strong current. Rescuers found most of the canoe party holding onto branches or sitting atop the large tree that caused their perdicament.

Connie Jefferies and her daughter, Courtney, were found a little further downstream after Courtney lost her grip.

"Her mom let go to go after Courtney," said Hannah.

"They were all real lucky," said Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Bennett who responded to the scene, "the Corps of Engineers were letting the water out at full capacity."

According to the Army Corp of Engineers daily lake information line, water that day was being discharged into the tailwaters at a rate of 2,250 cubic feet per second which equates to over one million gallons per minute.

"As swift as that water was moving, they couldn't get over to the shore in time," said Taylorsville/Spencer County Fire Chief Nathan Nation, "the ones that were in the water were fortunate enough to have something to hang onto and weren't swept under."

Nation said it was also fortunate that everyone in the canoe party was wearing a life preserver.

"You just can't say enough about wearing life jackets," said Nation.

The whole rescue took firefighters and others that responded only about 45 minutes to bring everyone safely to shore, but for some of those waiting in the water, it seemed like much longer.

"While I was in the water I kept moving my hands and feet to make sure they were okay," said Heather Beverson, "If we had been there 20 minutes more we would have frozen to death."

While it was highly unlikely anyone was going to perish from frostbite, Nation said in this type of situation hypothermia and more likely, drowning, is a concern. Which is why local firefighters have been working to improve their response to water emergencies.

Nation said since the rescue of Matthew Gentry in May 2004 from another section of the Salt River, "we have made the commitment to increase our water rescue training and the equipment needed in those rescues."

In fact just last month, local firefighters participated in a two-day water rescue training at Taylorsville Lake.

"There's no doubt that training came in to play" during this recent rescue, said Nation, "it went pretty smoothly even though it was the most difficult one we've done so far."

The stranded canoe party was returned back to shore by firefighters in life jackets swimming out to some and by throwing a rope out to others. Those rescued by rope were escorted safely through the rushing water.

"The rescue team did a phenomenal job. It looked like they did it by the book," said Neal after he and the rest of the canoe party was dry and secure back at the rental store, "we are going to come back. We'll just wait for the water to go down."

New River Trip '06

McCreery to Stone Cliff
5.5ft and 5500cfs

First of all there is no alcohol allowed at Stone Cliff. Any drinking of alcohol at Stone Cliff is in violation of the law. The Bardstown Boaters had no trouble with this rule because we follow all rules and regulations. I'm just saying it to warn others who might think they can out wit the park ranger. So according to the signs at Stone Clif, there are bears and there is no drinking of alcohol.

We had a great run on this class II+ section the of New River in West Virginia. The club had a large group that included, myself, Jennifer, Jay, Sarah, Kenny, Shirl, Bill, Michael, Johnny, Tim and Toby.

The weather was too great on Saturday, just our luck I guess, but once on the water and paddling through the rapids it was hardly a concern. The water was actually warmer than the air temperature.

We moved pretty fast down the river. I believe it only took us 3 1/2 hours to make the trip to Stone Cliff where we camped. The water was higher than last year so that moved us along faster as well.

The highlight for everyone was the Ledges. It was the biggest rapid since Silo was washed out and just more of a wave train than anything else. Everyone aced the big rapids. Bill stepped his game up and is quickly becoming a full fledged white water boater. He'll have the fever soon, if not already.

It really was a great trip. I can't wait to do it again sometime soon. Next time we camp out of our boats though. Alcohol allowed.

Support the Bardstown WW Park

Please visit a new section of the Bardstown Boaters website and write a few words on why you would like to see a whitewater park built in bardstown. We need to gather up as much local support for the park we can and we can now document that support right here: CLICK HERE

Please give this link to family and friends or anyone you know who wants to support bringing this unique opportunity to Bardstown.

To learn more about the whitewater park idea, click here.

Whitewater Park Interests Crest

Our Views/Editorials

From The Kentucky Standard: Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Enthusiasm seems to be building for a whitewater park on the Beech Fork in Bardstown.

Fundraising efforts are underway to pay for a visit and analysis by a whitewater park engineer, who will address issues such as water flow and structural feasibility.

While the plan is still just in the idea phase, it does seem to be generating both discussion and actual efforts toward moving the plan forward.

A poker run Saturday that finished at the site of the proposed park drew good participation, especially considering the rainy weather.

The poker run raised more than $500 to add to a “pot” to pay for an engineer’s visit, which is expected to cost about $7,000.

Additional fundraisers are already in the works and whitewater enthusiasts seem to be rallying behind the effort.

Anytime a plan generates both enthusiasm and specific activities that involve real work to further the effort, it makes sense to take note and watch for results.

The Bourbon Festival was just a plan a few short years ago, as were other local initiatives that draw thousands of people to the area annually.

A whitewater park may be just such an idea.

Elkhorn Creek

1400cfs

What a great capper to the weekend, after having the Poker Run on Saturday I was able to catch the Elkhorn at a good level for Sunday. I paddled with a group of Vikings.

Lots of little play waves were in. The left side at Angioplasty was the better option of the two at this level. The run this day got me thinking about having an Elkhorn race. Beautiful day for paddling.

Poker Run 2006

Beech Fork
2000cfs

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Poker Run this past Saturday. It was a great success. We raised over $800 to go towards bringing in the McLaughlin Whitewater Group to do a site assessment for a Bardstown Whitewater Park. This is our first step towards our goal of raising $2200.

The winning hand was three 9's beating out Kings and 6's. I had guessed trips would end up winning it. Emerson Ballard, a local paddler, played the winning hand and the winnings were donated back toward to the effort.

Even if you didn't get to come out for the Poker Run their will be more opportunities in the future. You can make a personal donation if you like on our whitewater park site:

http://www.bardstownboaters.com/whitewaterpark

And stayed tuned for our next fundraiser coming very soon... The Elkhorn Creek Race!

Thanks to these sponsors for helping us put on the 2006 Poker Run

Boone's Butcher Shop
Horizon Hoppers
Keene’s Depot
Bardstown Mills

GJ grants $100K to WW park

By MIKE WIGGINS

The Daily Sentinel: Thursday, September 21, 2006

The Grand Junction City Council unanimously agreed Wednesday night to pitch $100,000 into an effort to build a whitewater park on the Colorado River near Palisade.

The decision to contribute money to the project came at the request of Palisade Town Administrator Tim Sarmo, who wrote a letter to council members Tuesday claiming the whitewater park is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” that would benefit the entire Grand Valley.

“This is the eleventh hour for this project,” Sarmo wrote in the letter. “If we fail to raise sufficient funds by the end of this year, the opportunity for a whitewater park at the Price-Stubb Dam will be lost forever.”

Palisade town officials have pressed the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to build the whitewater park in conjunction with an endangered fish passage on the river at the mouth of De Beque Canyon this winter. The original estimate for the cost of the whitewater park ranged from $400,000 to $600,000. But the Bureau of Reclamation recently indicated the price could be closer to $2 million, putting the project in jeopardy unless park backers come up with the difference.

In his letter to council members, Sarmo said he believed modifications to the design of both of the fish passage and the park could reduce the cost of the park to $1 million. The actual price tag won’t be known until the Bureau of Reclamation receives bids for the fish passage by itself and a combined fish-passage and whitewater-park project.

To date, the Western Association to Enjoy Rivers, a private organization that has taken the lead in promoting the park, has raised $300,000 to $400,000. Sarmo said he hoped the remaining $600,000 to $700,000 could be raised through $300,000 in contributions from local governments, $200,000 in state grants and another $100,000 to $200,000 from WATER.

Sarmo asked for $100,000 from the city, with the balance from local governments expected to be requested from Mesa County. He said in his letter he will submit a $200,000 grant application to Great Outdoors Colorado this week.

Some council members said during Wednesday night’s council meeting they were initially hesitant to give any money, indicating they feared it could open the door to other groups flooding with city with funding requests for projects they claim benefit the greater community. In the end, though, the board said the whitewater park would be an economic boon to the valley.

“I choose to look at this as another tool in our economic development,” Councilman Gregg Palmer said.

Mike Wiggins can be reached via e-mail at mwiggins@gjds.com.

Paddlers’ Poker Run Planned for Saturday

Paddlers’ Poker Run planned for Saturday


Wednesday, September 27, 2006 8:21 AM EDT

BOB WHITE The Kentucky Standard

Funds being raised for whitewater park

Poker runs aren’t just for motorcyclists anymore.

Hoping to fund an engineer’s visit to Beech Fork and a design incorporating a whitewater feature into the rock dam near the New Haven Road bridge, Bardstown Boaters are hosting a paddlers’ poker run Saturday in which participants could win up to $500.

The local paddling club has been the main proponent of a push to convert a stone dam that cannot be safely navigated by canoes and kayaks into a safe chute and play wave for boaters to use.

Following a formal presentation of the concept to Bardstown City Council and some preliminary “homework” done on part of city officials, Assistant City Administrator Larry Green said the next step would be to draft a plan and design for the project.

For that, Bardstown Boaters president Spalding Hurst said an experienced whitewater park engineer would need to visit the site and compile a preliminary plan and cost estimate.

The cost of such a visit is expected to be $6,000-$7,000, depending on the engineering firm chosen.

Cost of constructing whitewater parks throughout the nation have ranged from $140,000 for a park along a stream in Colorado to $25 million for a park not on a river in North Carolina.

Hurst didn’t want to speculate the cost of creating a single wave and navigable chute at the Beech Fork dam. He said he would rely on the engineer to talk numbers to the public.

Green said he has identified a federal grant that could help fund the whitewater park. Additional funding may be available through the state if the city decides to increase the height of the dam to increase its raw water collection pool.

Before seeking grants for the project, Green said some engineering work should be done so a plan could be presented to state and federal stakeholders such as the Division of Water, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The poker run is an attempt to fund the next step in the process of planning the whitewater park.

The fundraiser will begin noon Saturday at the KY 49 bridge across Beech Fork and will conclude about 5 p.m. at the New Haven Road (U.S. 31E) bridge.

Plans are to have paddlers collect five playing cards at locations along the river. Three of the cards received will be handed to participants by Bardstown Boaters stationed in boats along the route. The best hand at the end of the day wins half the pot collected, or a maximum of $500.

The cost of entering the poker run is $20. Participants are responsible for providing their own boats, canoes, kayaks or other watercraft. Horizon Hoppers Adventure Services will provide canoes and kayaks free of charge to anyone who does not own a boat and wants to participate in the event.

“I wanted to show I give this project my full support,” said Mike Hammons, owner of the Bardstown-based outfitter.

Hammons said no less than a dozen boats would be available at the start of the poker run on a first come, first serve basis.

The event is open to paddlers of all skill levels and food and drinks will be available for purchase at the beginning and end of the poker run.

Hurst said he expects about 50 people to attend, but hopes for more.

For more information on the poker run or the Bardstown Whitewater Park log on to the Bardstown Boater Web site at www.bardstownboaters.com. The club is also taking contributions online for the whitewater park.

Bob White can be reached at 348-9003 Ext. 116 or by e-mail at bwhite@kystandard.com.

Poker Run Fundraiser

Saturday, September 30th
12pm
Fundraiser for the Bardstown Whitewater Park

The poker run is an attempt to fund the next step in the process of planning the whitewater park.

The fundraiser will begin noon Saturday at the KY 49 bridge across Beech Fork and will conclude about 5 p.m. at the New Haven Road (U.S. 31E) bridge.

Plans are to have paddlers collect five playing cards at locations along the river. Three of the cards received will be handed to participants by Bardstown Boaters stationed in boats along the route. The best hand at the end of the day wins half the pot collected, or a maximum of $500.

The cost of entering the poker run is $20. Participants are responsible for providing their own boats, canoes, kayaks or other watercraft. Horizon Hoppers Adventure Services will provide canoes and kayaks free of charge to anyone who does not own a boat and wants to participate in the event.

There will be food and lots of fun on the water.

download the print quality flyer here

Sick Day

Elkhorn Creek
2180cfs

Yesterday I played hooky and went kayaking on the Elkhorn instead of going to work. It was great. If retirement could be days spent paddling local rivers I would be in heaven.

The water was moving well this day as I paddled with a large group from the Viking Canoe Club. I caught one really great surf at the rapid just before the house on the river with the large cement landing blocks. I couldn't get on the big waves at surfers and Angioplasty left was washed out, should go right here in the future when the water is this high.

The weather was outstanding and I can't tell you how awesome it is to live 10 minutes from the whitewater destination. Sleep in, go kayaking, get home before dinner. It was perfect.

Whitewater Park a Needed Attraction

The Kentucky Standard
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 9:02 AM EDT

Our Views/Editorials

Work toward reconfiguring a rock dam into a safely navigable whitewater feature along Beech Fork River is moving fast and smooth thanks to the impressive efforts of the Bardstown Boaters paddling club.

The editorial board at The Kentucky Standard supports the group’s effort to add this new recreational feature to the county and we wish them well in their endeavor.

While the park is not planned to be a behemoth $25 million facility similar to what opened in Charlotte, N.C. earlier this year, the proposed Bardstown Whitewater Park would be an asset to sportsmen and youth of our community along with the economy as businesses look to support paddlers and their fans.

The park could be the light at the end of the tunnel for struggling business owners such as canoe outfitter Mike Hammons of Horizon Hoppers Adventure Services who has spent the past five years trying to rent kayaks to outdoor adventure seekers from his shop at the Bardstown-Nelson County Airport.

It could also be a boost for existing businesses such as Keene’s Depot which has already established itself as Bardstown’s sporting supplies store.

Most importantly, the proposed park would provide a good, clean, fun activity for people to enjoy, whether cartwheeling and splashing around on the wave themselves or spectating from the riverbank.

To take an eyesore rock dam that’s not safely navigable for boaters and turn it into a destination will open the river to all sorts of recreational opportunities for many generations to come.

Fishing, wading, tubing and picnicking will follow the kayaking.

We, at The Standard, hope the community, city government and state and federal officials jump on board with the boaters in pursuit of the Bardstown Whitewater Park.

No Hurdles Seen Yet for Proposed Whitewater Project on Beech Fork River

Wednesday, September 20, 2006 8:59 AM EDT
BOB WHITE The Kentucky Standard

Fundraiser set for Sept. 30.

No great hurdles seen so far.

That’s what Bardstown Assistant City Administrator Larry Green told City Council following inquiries made with state and federal agencies about a proposed whitewater park for Bardstown.

Interest in the concept of reconstructing an old rock dam on Beech Fork for recreational purposes has grown since the idea was first announced a few months ago by members of Bardstown Boaters, a local paddling club.

Following a formal presentation of the group’s plan to construct a whitewater feature at the dam lying immediately west of the New Haven Road bridge across Beech Fork, Green said he began doing some “homework” by checking with agencies dealing with water and dams and looking for possible sources of funding.

“The talks were encouraging,” Green said of discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “They said it’s not their dam and said it would be no big deal so long as (the whitewater feature) wasn’t causing erosion.”

Kentucky’s Division of Water expressed interest in the project, but Green said “no red flags” had been raised following talks with those officials.

While doing his homework, Green discovered Land and Water Conservation Fund grants available for recreational projects such as the proposed parks. Bloomfield was denied a $50,000 grant request from the federal fund earlier this year to help renovate its park system. The fund generally allocates about $400,000 annually to Kentucky cities for recreational projects in matching grants of $5,000 - $15,000.

The maximum allowable amount of Land and Water Conservation grants is $75,000, Green said.

With the possibility of obtaining additional funding for use in raising the dam for an increased raw water pool, Green said he was encouraged about the whitewater park idea.

No one at the city level has spoke against the whitewater project and few questions have arose relating to it since proponents provided the city with what many have considered an impressive amount of information.

“There’s no questioning the amount of legwork (proponents) have put into this,” Councilman Bobby Simpson said.

During the discussion phase, questions have risen relating to increased traffic associated with the proposed park along U.S. 31E.

Councilman John Royalty said the city needed to determine if the whitewater feature would increase traffic near the bridge and address those concerns with the state highway department early.

City Financial Officer Mike Abell doubted any traffic concerns to come as a result of the proposed park.

“I’ve seen four or five of these and it’s usually groups of four or five boaters that use them at any given time,” Abell said.

It is unclear if a single whitewater feature along the river would increase auto traffic in the area, but proponents aren’t discouraged with such concerns.

“I’m just glad the discussions continue and that people are beginning to research the idea for themselves,” Spalding Hurst, president of Bardstown Boaters, said.

Hurst said on Thursday that a special feature was added to the club’s Web site for people to comment on the park.

The feedback page, found at www.bardstownboaters.com, will enable proponents to keep track of concerns and log public opinion and support for the proposal.

Green said the next step necessary in the park project was to compile a plan and design for the park to submit to state and federal agencies for review.

Bardstown Boaters isn’t waiting for local government to hire an engineer.

In an attempt to raise funds for a preliminary whitewater park engineer’s visit, estimated at $7,000, the group is hosting a fundraiser Sept. 30 along the Beech Fork.

The paddling poker run is a 7-mile event in which paddlers contribute $20 to the pot, collect cards along the route and play the best poker hand in an attempt to win half the purse.

Hurst said he hopes with fundraisers such as the poker run, enough money can be raised to soon have an experienced whitewater park engineer visit Bardstown.

Hurst said preliminary talks with engineers have been encouraging.

“They said we couldn’t have a better site,” he said.

Information on the poker run can be found at the Bardstown Boater Web site.

Bob White can be reached at 348-9003 Ext. 116 or by e-mail at bwhite@kystandard.com.

Group Plans Fundraiser for Engineer Visit

Friday, September 8, 2006 8:26 AM EDT
BOB WHITE The Kentucky Standard


While questions arose over parking and possible trashing of the river, an overwhelming amount of support was apparent for the construction of a whitewater park at Beech Fork during a meeting of Bardstown City Council Tuesday night.

About 20 people in support of a proposal to reconstruct a rock dam near the New Haven Road bridge over Beech Fork into a navigable whitewater feature showed up for a formal presentation to City Council Tuesday.

The effort is being spearheaded by members of Bardstown Boaters, a group of paddling enthusiasts based in Bardstown.

With some discussion already having taken place on the possible raising of the rock dam to increase raw water supply for the city’s water treatment operations, Mayor Dixie Hibbs and proponents of the whitewater park feel it’s possible to incorporate the water feature into the dam-raising project.

Hibbs said she would consult water plant officials on specifics relating to the volumes of water for plant operations, but noted a need for increased supply in the near future.

“We’re pumping about 50-percent of our water from the Beech Fork,” Hibbs said.

The river has the potential to supply ample amounts of water if dammed correctly, since the river drains about 600 square miles of upstream watershed, she said.

Hibbs voiced her support for the proposal and practicality of the dam’s reconstruction.

“If we were to increase the dam one or two feet, then this redesign could be done for the safety of boating, accomplishing two things - recreation and an increase of water supply,” Hibbs said.

Improving the safety of the river was a key point of the project, according to Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist and Convention Commission vice-president Dawn Ballard.

The dam cannot be navigated safely as is.

“This is something that takes a potential hazard and makes it safe,” Ballard said. “People don’t use (the river) as much as they could.”

The plan, as submitted to City Council by Bardstown Boaters president Spalding Hurst, consists of the construction of a single whitewater feature and two chutes navigable by canoes and kayaks.

“It’s just a single rapid that’s safely navigable,” Hurst said. “The put in and take out would be at the same spot.”

“Play-boaters” could park at the river and practice whitewater paddling techniques at the site, he added.

Two engineering firms experienced in whitewater park construction have expressed an interest in working on the park in Bardstown.

“They described this site as a perfect setup,” Hurst said of engineers’ opinion of the Beech Fork.

Hiring an engineer to visit the site, compile a preliminary plan and estimate is expected to cost about $6,700.

Ballard said various sources of funding were available for the whitewater park’s construction, but thought the project should proceed in steps.

“First we were looking for any huge grievances with the idea,” Ballard said.

While no one at the meeting spoke against the project, one woman questioned if the park could contribute to traffic along the New Haven Road bridge.

Hibbs said it was too early to determine traffic counts for such a park, but said if traffic developed as a result of the park, a traffic light may be necessary for the area.

Hibbs said another person questioned her on the potential of trash accumulating at the river as a result of a whitewater park.

During the meeting, Hibbs made note of the Bardstown Boaters’ efforts in cleaning Beech Fork with the group’s annual Paddle Pickup.

The group completed its second river cleanup this year, removing tons of debris from Nelson County stream banks.

Hurst said during a telephone interview Thursday he appreciated all the comments and questions relating to the park.

“I want people to see that this is a viable option,” Hurst said. “It could be good for tourism and recreation.”

Emphasis of the park’s location has been on the northeast quadrant of the bridge’s crossing of the river. The property is owned by the city.

Without a visit from an engineer experienced in whitewater park construction, Hurst said it was difficult to estimate a cost of the dam’s reconstruction into a whitewater feature.

Bardstown Boaters have begun whitewater park fundraising efforts with a paddling poker run on Beech Fork scheduled for Sept. 30.

Hurst said funds from the poker run would be used to hire an engineer to visit Bardstown and compile draft plans for the park.

“My hope is for us to raise $2,000, tourism to contribute $2,000 and the city to contribute $2,000,” Hurst said, regarding the funding of an engineer’s visit.

More information about the fundraiser can be found at www.bardstownboaters.com.

The report on the whitewater park compiled by Bardstown Boaters can be viewed at the group’s Web site.

Bob White can be reached at 348-9003 Ext. 116 or by e-mail at bwhite@kystandard.com.

Bardstown Boaters Meeting Minutes

Kreso's Restaurant

After a fantastic meeting with the city council, we got together at Kreso's for our first club meeting since January. We will now be meeting every 2 months on the first Monday of the month.

Topics of Discussion
• Poker Run on the Beech Fork
• Whitewater Park
• Fall Trip Planning
• Becoming a non-profit

The next Club Meeting will be on Monday, November 6th

The Vikings and I, on the Cumberland

Flow: 580cfs
Lake Level: 705' (Last Drop was in)

I joined up with the vikings this day for a trip on the Cumberland. It was a great run with all of the rapids in all the way down to last drop. Surfers was good and we spent an hour and a half at just that one rapid. Surfers would be the perfect example of rapid for the Whitewater Park.

Screaming right was still the hardest rapid out there. Not that it was hard, but we had lots of flipping going on in our group at that rapid. Center Rock had some carnage as well.

Stairsteps and Last drop were good, they make the trip better since it is quite a hassle to get towed out on the boat and all. It is nice to have a couple more rapids to run.

New Calendar Page

I have simplified and updated the club calendar. Please check it out. Let me know if there is anything you would like to add to the calendar.

New Club Calendar

Bardstown Tourism Listing

See our listing on the Bardstown Tourism Website

The Bardstown Boaters are a group of about 30 people who love to get out on local rivers and paddle. Canoes, rafting and kayaking. Anything from easy calm stretches of class I waters up to class III and IV whitewater in other parts of Kentucky and surrounding states.The Bardstown Boaters take day trips, overnight trips and we participate in community volunteer work with an emphasis on the environment.

The New Club Inflatable

The new club duckie has arrived. I checked it out last night, blew it up and looked it over. It is a better water craft than I expected. Very nice shape and strong material. The 2 seats are adjustable to any position or you can setup just one seat with room for gear in the back. Most anyone could easily navigate the rivers we like to run in this thing. I hope we get a bunch of use out of this. Just contact me if you want to use it. We may even be taking it down the Cumberland this weekend.

At the next club meeting, when ever that is, we'll discuss rental fees to use the duck to help raise funds for the club.

Ocoee

Normal release level.

Jay, Zack, Jim Fahling and I went down to the Ocoee for our maiden voyage this past Saturday. We left Lexington at about 7pm on Friday and it took a little over 4 hours to get to Chilhowee campground. The next day we broke camp and got ready for our one day pass at running the Ocoee. We scouted Grumpy's and Broken Nose, warmed up in the pool above the run, then decided to just go for it. David Ackerman led us down and it was a perfect run. Everyone did great and we had no problems at all. Jay had a couple of swims at some opportune moments. Now he swears he is going to get his roll down and stop procrastinating about it.

The Ocoee is where my love of rivers started. We used to come here back in high school and every summer after with the Mathews' raft. Seeing all the kayakers here made me want to become a kayaker because it just looked so damn fun. Well now after running it I can say that it is even more fun than it looks like. I loved it. Can't wait to do it again!

Pictures from our trip.

The rapids:

Grumpy's Ledge: Stared at this for too long. Make the ferry and it's all good.
Staging Eddy: Easy
Gonzo Shoals:Easy
Broken Nose: Ran the sneak, it was not hard to make. Should have ran it.
Moonshoot: Surf Wave
Double Suck: Almost ran the sneak, did not. Glad I didn't.
Double Trouble: Big waves, they take pictures here. Got some air.
Flipper: Surf spot? Don't really remember.
Doledrums: Shallow stuff
Surprise Ledge: The end of the Doldrums.
Tablesaw: Biggest rapid. Don't flip. Ran with no problems.
Diamond Splitter: Fun, ran the far right side.
Witches Hole
Accelerator: Fast water, just like the name suggests.
Cat's Pajamas
Hell Hole: Got hella air. So I here, all I saw was the sky.
Powerhouse: Good thing I made my roll from Hell Hole, this one comes quick. Run the right side.

Nantahala 2006

Release Level

This past weekend we had a big group down at the Smokies. All the Thomas clan plus myself and Jennifer. We had planned our Nanatahala run for Saturday, but due to rain and colder weather we pushed it back to Sunday. Instead on Saturday we checked out the Belle Chere in Asheville, which is always very cool. We stayed at the Pisgah Inn on Saturday night. That place is very nice and is not far from Asheville at all. Maybe 25 minutes.

On Sunday morning we all met at the river, at NOC. We went up the road a little bit to rent the duckies from Fast Rivers. That place is much cheaper than NOC and they were very nice. So John Thomas and I kayaked and everyone else were in the ducks. Jay and Sarah together, Bill and Tiffany together, Kenny and Jennifer solo.

We put in at the correct spot tis time and got to start things off with a bang on Patton's Run. A very easy class II+ rapid. But the Nanty is constant, always moving water and fun to paddle. Everyone did awesome, no swims from the duckies and John on only his 3rd time out in the kayak ran every rapid clean. And at the falls, well we all just made the falls look easy. Especially Jennifer, who was making moves all over the place on the river.

After this trip we now know that we need, we want, we will be getting a club duckie. Because everyone who paddled one loved it, and they want to do it again.

Pictures from the trip

Floyds Fork Trip

5.84ft

By Tim Wheat:

Went on a river that I've never been on before. Floyds Fork in southern Jefferson Co. can be a pretty fun 3 1/2 - 4 hour float paddle. Easy access both at the put in and take out. There were 6 of us all together. Me and my buddy from college paddled our kayaks, and there were 2 conoes with 2 newbies each in them. Before long, my buddy and I were spending considerable time chasing coolers, paddles, and beer down the river because the newbies in the conoes kept tipping over.

There is not really a whole lot of flat water on the trip, but quite a few ripples, and 2 - 3 class I parts. The river does tend to bend and curve a lot too. The guage on americanwhitewater.org read 5.84ft that afternoon (not to sure how to compare it to cfs), but as I understand that once it reaches above 8 ft, the river becomes washed out. None the less, it was a pretty fun paddle, and very close to Louisville. I live in the highlands and it only took about 20 minutes to get to the put in. Put in is about 1 1/2 mile south of the Gene Snyder off of Taylorsville Rd. at Floyds Fork park. Take out is down off of Billtown Rd (I can get more specific directions if need be). Total time to run shuttle is only about 30 minutes round trip.