Log In


Reset Password
News Education Local News Nation & World New Mexico

Riverfolk, get your ducks in line

Earth-moving equipment placed boulders midstream in a drained area of the Animas River last month during the peak of construction at the Whitewater Park. The new, improved run at Smelter Rapid is expected to open Friday.

Attention, river runners: It’s time to play.

Not only is the water coming up, but as of Friday, you’ll have a newly revamped place to paddle. The section of the Animas River – hereafter to be known as Whitewater Park – is ready to roll.

The city of Durango announced Monday construction of in-river features costing about $1 million is finished. Construction on shoreline amenities, including covered bleachers and the widening and reconstruction of the Animas River Trail, will commence within a month or two.

In-stream work, designed by S20 Design and Engineering and completed by Ted Seipel Construction, includes four bank-to-bank grouted areas with inlaid rock.

River users and passers-by should note the contractor is continuing to do shoreline work. At this point, the shoreline is not accessible in the area adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant.

Just as exciting, the river continues to rise. The Animas was at 757 cubic feet per second in Durango on Monday afternoon, although it peaked at over 1,000 cfs last weekend.

Herald Staff



Reader Comments