The Durango Whitewater Park is one of the country’s most utilized whitewater parks. The S2o team re-designed and secured a Recreational In-Channel Diversion (RICD) permit for this project to modernize the park to perform at a level capable of hosting recreational paddling, as well as international standard freestyle, slalom, and paddle board competitions.
 
Due to the numerous challenges associated with this park, the design requirements were stringent and publicly reviewed by all parties. The design was further challenged when Durango submitted its park for a RICD water right. As a part of this process, the team testified at the CWCB hearing, submitted expert reports on the park’s design, and successfully defended the design on behalf of its stakeholders and against the flow-restricting opposition. Based largely on the testimony of S2o Design’s principal, the objectors eventually settled, and the original flow claims proposed by S2o Design were awarded.
 
The design of this park involved an extensive public process including work with the Animas River Task Force, the City of Durango, numerous stakeholders, and various permitting agencies.
 
Project Highlights
Design efforts and testimony helped protect the flows of the Animas River for the foreseeable future while avoiding an expensive, extended trial.
Obtained an RICD with maximum flows of 1,400 CFS, four times greater than the CWCB proposed maximum.
Worked with varied stakeholders to create a design meeting everyone’s needs.
Completed pre-design, RICD, design, construction documents, and construction management of the project.