Kayak Idaho

The good news for Boise kayakers is  work on the river park site is scheduled to start in March 2010. But the initial work is mostly streambank  stabilization, widening of the greenbelt to accomodate the changes in traffic and use. The actual work on the river features isn't scheduled to start unitl next fall.

Phase I includes the area around the Thurman Mill Diversion, or as we know it, the 36th street wave. The Army Corps of Engineers permits for Phase I have been submitted. If they're approved, (and there is no reason they shouldn't be) the first step will be to draw down the water in Quinns Pond to begin filling in the corner nearest the diversion to accommodate the increased traffic flow. This draw-down will begin in March. Work on the corner of Quinns pond, and reinforcing the area for the new diversion will happen this spring. The fill being placed in Quinns pond will serve to reinforce the existing bank to support the new diversion and accommodate the re-routing of the Greenbelt in the area. Phase I also includes some amenities in the Simplot Park such as restrooms and parking. Phase II will include everything downstream from the 36th Street Wave.

The river feature will consist of a Wave Shaper, designed and to be built by the McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group of Denver, Colorado. This is the same company that built the Gutter in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. The Gutter is one of ugliest features in the nation. Judging by their website the McLaughlin Group has improved the aesthetic end of their designs. But the result is what matters, right? There is little chance of any artificial river feature making the cover of Sunset Magazine.

The Wave shaper is  basically a concrete flume that channels the water down a drop and into a pool  with access eddies. The underwater lip can be adjusted for different flows and wave shapes. Since the Neef River Park is intended to be used for both play-boating and slalom practice and races, the wave shaper is ideally suited for changing the feature for different events or schedules. Plans include making the riverbank user friendly and the River Park board members say the design goes well beyond the concrete rip-rap and cyclone fencing that make the Gutter what it is. Hopefully it will be a little deeper as well.