Paddler's Summit - Frankfort, Ky.

On Friday November, 19 I participated in a one day Paddle Sports Development Conference at the offices of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The purpose of the meeting was to have an initial discussion about ways to help promote and develop new paddling opportunities in Kentucky. This included the whitewater park that the Bardstown Boaters have been developing. After receiving our cost estimates in February of 2010 for the restoration of the rubble dam on the Beech Fork River, I was hoping to learn of some possible grant opportunities for the park.

This meeting brought together some of the most influential people in the Kentucky paddle sports community, together with those in the state government, to look at what potential projects are out there needing support, prioritize those projects for much needed support, and start working together state wide to advance our sport for the benefit of our state, our local communities, and our locally owned businesses.

The two projects that we spoke about the most were the Russell Fork River and the Beech Fork in Bardstown. Steve Ruth is leading an effort in getting more recognition for paddling opportunities at the already great, but overlooked, whitewater stream in Eastern Kentucky. He is alos working on developing a whitewater park on the lower section of the Russell Fork. The Bardstown Boaters spoke about the Beech Fork Whitewater park project and the work already done by Riverrestoration.org there. Briefly mentioned, was the proposed park in Bowling Green.

Some of those who were in a attendance included Kevin Nuss and Nick Hope with the Kentucky Sports Authority. They billed themselves as the ones who bring events to Kentucky. Elaine Wilson and Seth Wheat represented the Kentucky Office of Adventure Tourism. These might be the folks who could assist us with locating grant funds for the Bardstown project. From the department of Fish and Wildlife we spoke with Benjy Kinman and Mark Cramer, one interesting thing they are doing with federal money is building boat access ramps to lakes and streams. This may be an avenue to explore for the Bardstown project.

Those from the paddling community in attendance were Steve Ruth of Elkhorn City, Ky., Doug Davis of River City Canoe and Kayak, Brian Sandman,  Viking Canoe Club, Brent Austin, BWA, Smurf, owner of Sheltowee Trace, and Allison Depenbrock, with Canoe Kentucky.

I presented the Bardstown project to everyone and harped on the numbers. $371,000 to build our park. That is quite low which it is due to the access of materials at the rubble dam, the existing road access, land ownership by the City of Bardstown, and the infrastructure of Bardstown tourism industry, all which is currently in place. I think this helps immensely with getting the park built. We just need to modify the hazardous dam into a playful whitewater feature, that will then be primed for world class whitewater events and daily recreation oppertunities.

Overall my presentation was received very well by the group. Many were impressed that we had come this far in the process, we are the only ones who have some idea of the costs involved and again, they are relitivly low costs at that.

The next steps from all of this seem to be more meetings and greater coalition, something more substantial in numbers so we can say, here look, we are 5,000 strong and we want more outdoor paddling opportunities for Kentucky. Here are some great places to start.

A very special thanks goes out to Doug Davis who made this meeting happen. In his short time in Kentucky already, I feel that he has done much to help progress the paddling scene in the state and on a national level. The man is driven, just like many others who were seated at the table today. That is what I love most about the Kentucky paddling community.

Heaton Will Not Seek Second Term

By Frank Johnson | The Kentucky Standard

Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton announced his intention not to run for re-election in the fall at the close of Tuesday's city council meeting, pointing to ongoing complications from his radiation treatment for throat cancer.

Heaton, who is finishing up his first term in office, said he had enjoyed his tenure as mayor, but he faced a lot of uncertainty in the future as regards his health. He also said the job of mayor is a time consuming one and stepping aside would allow him more time to spend with his family and business.

"It's not a decision I am necessarily happy to make ... but I think it is the best decision at this time," Heaton said.

Heaton told the council that the radiation treatment had caused a new condition in his mouth that only allows him to open his jaw about a third of the way. Surgery will be required to help alleviate the problem and he said it's possible he may need further surgery after that.

"If my treatment had gone as planned, this wouldn't have happened," he said.

Heaton previously served two terms as a city councilman before entered the race for mayor four years ago. He won a three-way election against incumbent Dixie Hibbs and challenger Steven Wimsatt.

Some Whitewater Park News In The Kentucky Standard Today

Engineering and preconstruction costs for the Bloomfield and Pottershop Road force mains is estimated to be $50,000 for the new fiscal year; the Corps of Engineers raw water study is estimated to be $27,000; and the Beech Fork/Rubble Dam study is estimated at $10,000. Erosion at the dam is the main problem, Heaton said. As for recreation opportunities on the Beech Fork, that won’t be possible without a grant, he said.

This was discussed at the last meeting between the Bardstown Boaters and the City of Bardstown, so no surprises there.

Read the whole article from the Kentucky Standard here.

Salida Whitewater Park Improvements

Contractor Ted Seipel Construction’s Colorado Riverworks is on schedule to complete the $375,000 whitewater park by the end of March. The park, designed and engineered by Jason Carey of RiverRestoration.org, will provide exciting whitewater play holes for kayakers interested in executing spectacular stunts and surfing maneuvers…

A grand opening is planned when the park is complete, plus it will get a proper indoctrination during the June 25-26 Whitewater Festival, which will feature some surfing competitions for kayakers. The park will provide a whitewater thrill during high water summer months, but, in addition, the movement of water from upstream reservoirs to Pueblo Reservoir during the winter months will bring, “some very surfable waves all winter long,” Colon said.

From The Pueblo Chieftain

Whitewater Park FAQ

The Bardstown Boaters have been blogging about the Bardstown Whitewater Park ever since we began advocating construction of the river enhancements. With the recent reports from Riverrestoration.org we will be bringing you even more information about what is happening behind the scenes in getting the Bardstown park created and perhaps this information might also serve you in getting your local park built.

In the original Bardstown Whitewater Park report we addressed the various questions about the what the whitewater enhancements at the rubble dam of the Beech Fork would be like. Now that we have a professional opinion from RiverRestoration.org we will revisit these questions with more in-depth answers.

Visit the FAQ here.

Best Adventure Towns: Bardstown, Kentucky

From National Geographic Adventure

Bardstown, Kentucky

Plan a long weekend getaway with our Bardstown adventure guide, featuring great outdoor escapes, where to stay, and where to eat. Then chime in with your picks.

(Pop. 11,242)

(GPS: 37°48'N 85°27'W)

We ain’t gonna lie: Bardstown’s status as the world’s bourbon capital drew us in, but its rivers flow as freely as the whiskey. Paddlers convene at Sympson Lake, and a whitewater park is in the works downtown (bardstownboaters.com/whitewaterpark).

PLAY

Rent a canoe from Horizon Hoppers Adventure Services ($35 a day; horizonhopper.com), and join the Bardstown Boaters on Sympson Lake. Then tackle the whiskey river: Bardstown is a major stop along Kentucky’s famous Bourbon Trail; Heaven Hill and 1792 Ridgemont Reserve distilleries are right in town (kybourbontrail.com).

EAT

The Old Talbott Tavern may have a cheesy gift shop out front (Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Boone, and Jesse James are rumored to have visited this 1700s-era location) but inside, the food is nothing to scoff at: Spicy Kentucky burgoo stew, fried green tomatoes, and, of course, bourbon (talbotts.com).

SLEEP

The Rosemark Haven historic plantation has a B&B, tea room, and wine bar, all on the grounds (doubles from $109; rosemarkhaven.com).

Preliminary Design Report of The Rubble Dam Improvement Project Municipal Supply and Whitewater Recreation Enhancements in the Beech Fork River

Introduction

The Bardstown Boaters are currently working with the City of Bardstown and RiverRestoration.org to bring a whitewater park to Kentucky at the site of an old rubble dam on the Beech Fork of the Rolling Fork of the Salt River.

The purpose of the project is to restore the invert for municipal use and to enhance whitewater recreation while removing the hazardous conditions that currently exist. During reconnaissance evaluation significant erosion of the right bank was surveyed. The Project encompasses three goals:

• Restore the invert for municipal pump station.
• Enhance whitewater recreation.
• Stabilize the eroding bank.

How to Build a Whitewater Park

Some theories and ideas on on how to construct a whitewater feature.
BoaterTalk Post • Video • Waller Creek Site • Friends of the Falls

The best way to make a whitewater feature - basically accelerate water over a "slight" obstacle and "dump" it into still water. The smaller the obstacle it jumps the better. Too much rock and you get a hole. link

Semi-circle 'U'-shaped rock pile to channel water and create hole / eddies.

Whitewater Park Architecture and Science has advanced dramatically.


Example of a "play wave" that features can be modeled after.

Best practices include:

• Feasibility & Pre-design
• Concept Development
• Strategic Planning
• Business Modeling
• Limnology Studies & Habitat Design
• Local, state, and federal permits
• Venue Design

• Physical Modeling
• Computer Modeling
• In-stream Structures
• Boulder Placement
• Drop and Pool Structures
• Flow Hydraulics
• Flood Mitigation
• Water Safety
• Sediment Transport
• Target Species Habitat Restoration

• Facilities Construction
• Operations and Management

As far as creating a play feature the only thing I can really offer up is this. Play features are obviously in places where either A. the gradient increases and/or B. the velocity increases, coupled with a few good rocks or ledges to kick up or drop the water and form the play feature.

Remember that the flow (or volume of water moving downstream) in a river is constant no matter where you are on the run (obviously flows can increase or decrease over time depending on rain or dam releases). Even though you may be in a still pool, the river is still pushing a certain volume of water downstream. It just may not be as noticeable at wider spots as it is when the river chokes down in a gorge. Kind of like a garden hose. You turn the water on and you have a constant flow coming out of the spigot. Placing your finger over the end causes the water to come out faster even though the flow (volume of water) is still the same coming from the spout. The water must move faster given the smaller cross sectional area.

In order to maintain the upstream pool and allow for a play spot I would suggest something like a weir. You already have the gradient and the rocks to help form a feature. All you need to do is concentrate the flow in one area to increase the velocity of water traveling downstream.

Q = Volume (ft^3/sec)
V = Velocity (ft/sec)
A = Area (ft^2)

Q = V*A

By decreasing the area (A) of water coming over the dam, the river will have to increase the velocity (V) of water to allow the same flow (Q) to travel down the river. So instead of the water pouring over the whole river wide dam, arrange the rocks so that a smaller weir is created which leads to a smaller cross sectional area of water flowing through.

So in the equation, a smaller A results in a larger V. Larger V means faster velocity and wallah........play spot...sort of.

The broken down dam on the Benson is a classic example of this concept. But I would think the placement of rocks to actually form the feature may be slightly more complex than that and this is where an experienced whitewater feature builder (not sure what their title would be) would come into play.

Makers Mark Possibly Filming on Beech Fork

Makers Mark is searching for the location of their next commercial. They are looking for a river scene.

I just gave my recommendation, through Makers Mark, to a location scout looking to film a commercial in the Bardstown area. I pointed them toward the Beech Fork at the rubble dam for it's access and for the visual of the water tumbling through the dam. Perhaps they will choose this site of the future home to the Bardstown Whitewater Park as the filming location for their "fly fishing" scene for an upcoming Makers Mark commercial.

GRWW Speaks

Listen to a story about the Grand Rapids Whitewater Park on WGVU.

Listen to this! Chris Muller and Chip Richards were joined by WGVU’s Lindsey Smith as we walked the Grand River with representatives of the Michigan DNR and local engineering firm FTC&H. Afterward, we had lunch 50 paces from the water, at Tommy Fitzgerald’s Cafe Stella www.tommyfitzgeraldgroup.com. Outstanding river, outstanding food. Keeping it local, bringing it Downtown! http://www.wgvu.org/wgvunews/index.cfm?id=sdetail&sty=5662

http://grandrapidswhitewater.com/whitewater/grww-speaks/ 

Downtown Development Authority approves funding for design of Grand River whitewater course in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Whitewater is a group of individuals, paddling clubs, fishermen and businesses dedicated to helping Green Grand Rapids achieve the dream of putting rapids back in the Grand for everyone’s enjoyment. It is our goal to partner with the city to create a safer, more exciting river experience.

Read more …

Whitewater Park Scanned Articles

Here is a Thanksgiving treat. We have added scans from the Kentucky Standard about the Bardstown whitewater park to that section of the website. They are from the past four years. You can go straight to them here: Kentucky Standard scans

Bardstown Boaters Overview Video

Wanted to bump this video back to the top. It's an overview of the Bardstown Boaters and the projects we are currently working on. And as for the Whitewater Park; look for the alternative preliminary plans with opinions of costs by mid November.

National Geographic highlights Bardstown again

Once again, Bardstown has been listed in a National Geographic publication as a great get-away. The July/August issue of National Geographic Traveler includes the town in a list of 46 places to spend a “great long weekend.”

Under the subhead “Sippin,’ Singin’, and Abe” and next to a photograph from the Kentucky Bourbon Festival is this salute to Bardstown:

“Decompress on the tranquil streets of Bardstown, second oldest town in Kentucky (chartered in 1790). Toast the past at the Bourbon Heritage Center or nearby distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Trace local history at the Kentucky Railway and Civil War museums. Sing along to Stephen Foster, who wrote ‘My Old Kentucky Home,’ official song of the Bluegrass State; the composer is honored with a statue, mansion, and nearby state park. A few miles southwest of town, you can visit the birthplace of Honest Abe Lincoln, which is now a national historic site.”

Bardstown was also mentioned in the September 2008 issue of National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of 50 “next great adventure towns in which to live and play.”

In selecting the towns, National Geographic Adventure writers Sarah Tuff and Greg Melville lent their expertise as the magazine looked for innovative towns that weren’t just prime relocation spots now, but also smart choices for the future, Ethan Fried with the National Geographic Society said.

On Bardstown, Tuff and Melville wrote: “We ain’t gonna lie: Bardstown’s status as the world’s bourbon capital drew us in, but its rivers flow as freely as the whiskey. Paddlers convene at Sympson Lake, and a whitewater park is in the works downtown. Not in the liquor business? Lexington and Louisville are both less than an hour’s commute.”

Rubble Dam on Beech Fork a Hazard

From The Kentucky Standard

The Bardstown-Nelson County Fire Rescue Squad was called to the Beech Fork River bridge on New Haven Road Friday about 8:40 p.m. Friday to assist a man and woman whose boat had overturned.

The water was high and swift. The accident happened on the “Rubble Dam” rapids upstream from the bridge.

The woman was wearing a life vest; the man was not. Both made it to shore safely.

Downtown piping, Rubble Dam at project forefront

From the Kentucky Standard

By Jenny Blandford

Replacing water pipes downtown and restoring Rubble Dam are the two main projects Bardstown’s water and sewer committee wants to tackle in 2009.

City Engineer Larry Hamilton said the cast-iron water line downtown has been in place since 1930 and is old and outdated. The cost to replace the pipes would be about $120,000, and the project would be constructed in three phases. He said this year would be a good time to do such a project since it would coincide with the proposed downtown streetscape project. The sidewalks will be reconstructed as part of the streetscape project.

The three phases for replacing old pipes would consist of several thousand feet for new pipe. Phase I would be from Broadway to Court Square. Phase II would be replacing pipes around Court Square. The final phase would continue down West Stephen Foster Avenue to the front of St. Joseph School.

The Rubble Dam project, which also includes a potential whitewater park, is a joint effort between the city and the Bardstown Boaters. RiverRestoration.org’s Jason Carey completed Phase I in November and is ready to begin Phase II, Mayor Dick Heaton said, per City Council’s approval.

The project on the Beech Fork River is not just about the whitewater park, Hamilton said, as it would help with the erosion at the dam and its restoration. It would also help Bardstown’s water supply since water is pumped from the river into Sympson Lake.

Heaton said the city hopes to get money from the economic stimulus plan to help fund these projects. Both projects will be discussed at the next City Council meeting Jan. 27.

Two other projects the committee discussed as important projects to consider in 2009 were a raw water study to find a potential back-up water supply and a sewer rate study to help the city stay in compliance with state law.

A raw water study would cost $20,000. It was last updated in 2002. Sewer rates have not been raised in about five years.

Phase 1 of whitewater park project complete

By Jenny Blandford for the Kentucky Standard

Phase I of the Beech Fork River whitewater project is complete. A reconnaissance evaluation of municipal supply and whitewater recreation enhancements of Beech Fork River near Rubble Dam conducted by RiverRestoration.org estimated the project to cost about $350,000 to $500,000.

RiverRestoration.org River Engineer Jason Carey, who was hired by Bardstown Boaters to survey the area in August, sent a letter to the city and the club Nov. 18.

“Last week, we got the materials back from (Carey), which was basically a letter outlining everything,” Bardstown Boaters President Spalding Hurst said. “The estimate is about where we hoped it would be.”

In the letter, Carey said Rubble Dam on the Beech Fork River “has excellent opportunity for enhancement of both municipal water supply and whitewater recreation. The site has a number of advantages that make the project not only feasible, but will also keep costs down.”

Carey stated in the letter the project would enhance “water supply infrastructure while creating a recreation amenity for the community.”

In the letter, Carey outlined four advantages for why the project is feasible. Those reasons were: good construction access on a two-track road, seasonal low-flows of the channel will ease construction and reduce environmental impacts, significant amount of material onsite that can be reused in construction to help reduce costs and no sensitive species or other significant environmental issues that would complicate permitting or deter public support.

RiverRestoration.org, which is a Glenwood Springs, Colo.-based company that focuses on river restoration, preservation, enhancement and use of ecosystems, was the first developer Bardstown Boaters hired to survey the area. Bardstown Boaters raised $10,000 — $6,000 from the club, $2,000 from City Council and $2,000 from tourism — to bring Carey, who has more than nine years of experience as a river engineer, to Bardstown. Carey has a master’s degree in civil engineering and a bachelor’s degree in physics.

Carey, along with Hibbs Engineering, conducted topographic and channel surveys and took photographs of the river channel. Hurst said in August RiverRestoration.org was chosen because the club felt Carey developed three of the best whitewater parks in Colorado.

While in Bardstown, Carey met onsite with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and discussed the project with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nelson County floodplain manager and the Kentucky Division of Water.

“These regulators see no glaring objection to proceeding with this project and permitting should be straight forward,” Carey said in the letter. “We are requesting a notice to proceed with Phase II. The next steps are to perform engineering, obtain permits, develop alternatives and costs and assist seeking construction funds.”

Following receipt of the letter, Bardstown Boaters met Nov. 22 to discuss the next step.

“It was sort of a brainstorming meeting about what we, as a club, should be doing next to keep this project moving along since Phase I has been completed by RiverRestoration.org,” Hurst said. “So, we are moving toward Phase II.”

Phase II of the project — feasibility — includes eight tasks set forth by Carey in the river enhancement proposal, including hydrology, hydraulic analyses, preliminary design and alternatives, permitting, grant applications, landscape plan, final design and construction plans and specifications.

“He originally sent us an outline of all the phases and all the tasks within each of those phases,” Hurst said. “Phase II is design and Phase III is construction. Phase II includes the bulk of all the work.”

Phase II is projected to cost $44,500 and take about a year to complete, if everything goes as planned, Spalding said. Phase III — implementation — includes two tasks which entail construction bid package preparation and construction engineering services.

Bardstown Boaters plans to seek donations and sponsorships from local businesses and individuals and host fundraising events. Hurst said the club hopes to secure a non-profit status so money collected would be tax-deductible.

“We are going to start looking for some donors and we’re going to start putting on some events,” Hurst said.

Some ideas for fundraising include a bourbon barrel race on local waterways, card tournaments, educational and environmental grants and seeking funds from local government since the whitewater park project is a joint effort between Bardstown Boaters and Bardstown City Council. The emphasis of the River Recreation Enhancements design is to enhance Rubble Dam on the Beech Fork River for whitewater recreation and to improve the water supply. A plan for a whitewater park has been under way for about two years.

The data Carey collected will also be presented to Bardstown City Council, which will decide what the next step of the project will be.

Bardstown Boaters, which has about 115 members, supports a whitewater park, stating it could modify the hazardous Rubble Dam, attract visitors to the park, create a venue for paddlers, increase the city’s water supply, enhance the fish habitat, create a family-friendly and easily accessible river park, improve the aesthetics of the site and provide local economic stimulation.

According to its Web site, economic impacts of a whitewater park could provide recreation, tourism, competitions, new jobs and businesses, environmental awareness, construction of the river, enhanced land and property value and business retention.

For more information about Bardstown Boaters, visit www.bardstownboaters.com. To view some of RiverRestoration. org’s whitewater river projects, visit http://riverrestoration.org/ projects/index.html.

Jenny Blandford can be reached at 348-9003, Ext. 114, or jblandford@kystandard.com.

PitCo gives $100K for kayak park

The Pitkin County Open Space and Trails board Thursday agreed to spend up to $100,000 to design and help build a small and “moderately difficult” kayak park in the Roaring Fork River in Basalt, just upstream of the Elk Run neighborhood.

The funding was granted at the request of Pitkin County Attorney John Ely, who said a recently completed $10,000 feasibility study by The McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group in Denver concluded the park would be both a recreational and environmental improvement.

If the $100,000 expenditure for the kayak park is approved by the county commissioners, about $75,000 will be paid to Jason Carey of River Restoration.org of Glenwood Springs to design a kayak wave, a small boat ramp and riverside trails.

Read More

DLG Accepting Applications for Recreational Trails and Land and Water Grants

The Department for Local Government (DLG) is currently accepting applications for two grant programs to be awarded in 2009: Recreational Trails Program grant applications will be accepted through February 1, 2009 and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) applications will be accepted through March 1, 2009.

The Recreational Trails Program is funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It can be used to provide assistance for acquisition of easements, development and maintenance of recreational trails and trailhead facilities for both motorized and non-motorized use. Eligible applicants are city and county governments, state and federal agencies, and non-profit organizations.
The LWCF provides federal grant funds to acquire land for outdoor recreation and to develop or renovate public outdoor recreation facilities such as campgrounds, picnic areas, sports & playfields and support facilities.

Administered by DLG, funds for this program are allocated to Kentucky by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior. Cities, counties, state and federal agencies are eligible to apply.

Tonight's Meeting

The Bardstown Boaters held a very productive meeting tonight at Bardstown Mills, discussing future plans of moving forward with the whitewater park initiative.

Phase I - Reconnaissance Evaluation of Municipal Supply and Whitewater Recreation Enhancements on the Beech Fork at Rubble Dam - has been completed.

Phase II is projected to cost $44,500. The Bardstown Boaters plan to seek donations and sponsorships from local businesses, hold fundraising events and seek out a non-profit shell for the money to be received.

Ideas ranged from bourbon barrel races on local water ways, card tournaments, educational and environmental grants and receiving funds from local government due to the whitewater park also being a municipal water supply project. Improvements to the rubble dam would serve recreational purposes as well as serving Bardstown's current and future water needs.

Spalding Hurst, the club President, will be building an informational packet that highlights the benefits of the park and outlines the details of the park's creation. Total costs are estimated by RiverRestoration.org to be between $350,000 & $500,000.

Future meetings are being planned to occur each month to discuss the progress on the park and all other club activities. Continue visiting this website for more details.