If You Build It: Salida, CO Whitewater Park
Salida, CO, built a whitewater park that cleaned up the river bed and became a centerpiece of the small community.
In this feature from the Summer 2016 issue of Canoe & Kayak, we take a look at eight of the best whitewater parks in the country from Oregon to North Carolina. These parks use dam removals, adjustable play waves, and even artificial whitewater courses to bring communities together and open rivers to new paddlers.
Click through the links below to learn more and check out this C&K original video from our visit to Columbus, Georgia’s whitewater park.
Salida, CO, built a whitewater park that cleaned up the river bed and became a centerpiece of the small community.
Born from the remains of a decrepit dam, the Rio Vista Park includes several features and lights for night surfing
The USNWC pumps 12 million gallons of whitewater to create Class IV whitewater rapids for rafters, kayakers, and paddle boarders
A boom adventure town that built a whitewater park as part of a dam removal project
Legendary Olympian Scott Shipley spearheaded the $45 million Riversport Rapids in Oklahoma City
Charles City, IA, reshaped a seven-foot-high dam to create a world-class wave in an unlikely location
A 20-year-old whitewater park that's perfect for beginner and intermediate paddling
With features at all water levels and proximity to downtown, the Columbus Park is a centerpiece of the community