Model Studies of Denver Whitewater Channel

Abstract

Hydraulic model studies on a scale of 1:20 are described for a 500 ft-long (152-m) whitewater kayak and boating channel with a 6 ft (1.8-m) drop. Details of site conditions, hydraulic criteria, model construction, testing, measurement, and the development of the channel configurations are reviewed. The recreational whitewater channel will vary from 25 ft - 40 ft (7.6 m - 12.2 m) in width, have minimum flow depths of 2 ft - 3 ft (0.6m - 0.9 m) and operate at discharges from 150 cfs - 320 cfs (4.2 m³/s - 9 m³/s. The selected inlet control gate structure is described, as well as the steps taken to make the channel a safe recreational facility. The boating channel is proposed for construction on the South Platte River in Denver, Colo.