Paddlers, tourism officials and outfitter consider possibilities
Local paddlers who frequently travel throughout the state and region hope to one day catch a wave in Bardstown.
Tourism officials met with members of the Bardstown Boaters paddling club and a local canoe outfitter Wednesday to discuss steps that could help bring a whitewater feature to the Beech Fork of Salt River.
Steve Small, a Mount Washington man recently hired to nurture and promote local sporting events for Bardstown and Nelson County, told boaters they would be responsible for getting facts together prior to formal presentation to local and state leaders.
“You’re going to have to do the grunt work,” Small said. “We’re the conduit. We’re going to try and open doors you may not be able to. But this can’t happen in two or three months.”
What paddling enthusiasts hope to see happen is the renovation of the existing rock dam visible from the U.S. 31E bridge over the Beech Fork.
Timing for such a proposal may be on the paddlers’ side since earlier this year, Bardstown Mayor Dixie Hibbs also mentioned the renovation of the rock dam.
Spalding Hurst, Bardstown Boaters president, described the existing rock dam as “dangerous,” but said it could be reconstructed to create navigable whitewater features while maintaining its intended purpose.
The rock dam was constructed to provide a pool from which to draw water for the city’s water treatment process.
Hurst said the dam provides at least a five-foot drop that could help in the construction of a whitewater feature.
“What we have is a real good spot for a man-made whitewater park,” Hurst said. “The next step is to have an engineer come in (to evaluate the river).
A whitewater park engineer from Colorado offered to visit the proposed site to do a preliminary evaluation for about $3,000, Hurst said.
A full-blown site evaluation, to follow the preliminary review, would likely cost much more.
Hurst estimated the addition of a whitewater feature to Beech Fork to cost about $100,000.
Small suggested approaching those in control to determine officials’ interest prior to spending any money.
But before that happens, the paddlers plan to get their ducks in a row by finding answers to all questions related to the project.
Funding, benefits, permitting and liability were among issues of concern discussed during last week’s meeting.
Plans are for paddlers to collaborate with tourism officials and Small throughout the upcoming weeks to identify and resolve concerns.
The idea of constructing whitewater features on streams within small communities is nothing new.
About 10 years ago, a movement to build whitewater parks began within several small Colorado towns.
Since, scores of whitewater parks and features, both big and small in scale, have been added to streams from Texas to Oregon to North Carolina.
Canoe outfitter Mike Hammons, who has researched whitewater parks throughout the nation, said he was aware of “no bad scenario” relating to the impact of a whitewater park on a community.
Examples of the benefits such whitewater creations provide aren’t difficult to find.
In Golden, Colo., a whitewater park was constructed several years ago at a cost of $165,000.
According to American Whitewater, a nationwide paddling association, the park generates more than $1.8 million annually in residual benefits for the city.
Most whitewater parks and features are free of charge to users.
On May 25, a new whitewater feature consisting of three drops opened in San Marcos, Texas, a town of about 30,000 outside Austin.
Similar to Bardstown’s situation, a dangerous and aging dam bisected San Marcos River.
In December, San Marcos City Council decided to build a whitewater feature into a reconstructed dam. Forty-seven days and
$2 million later, the dam was reconstructed to provide a safely navigable stream and play place for the entire community, not just hardcore paddlers.
The first visitors to the whitewater feature in San Marcos went downstream in inflatable rings.
“It was by far the most popular project ever done in this town,” said Dan O’Leary, San Marcos city manager. “It turned out better than we could have ever
anticipated.”
For 25 percent more than the cost of repairing the dam, the city gained a popular recreation area for everyone from babies to expert kayakers.
Regarding financial benefits, O’Leary said there was no question.
“There’s definitely tourism (benefits),” he said.
Bob White can be reached at 348-9003 Ext. 116 or by e-mail at bwhite@kystandard.com.
